Caspian's Fortune

by Eric Warren

  “Can we enhance that image at all?” Greene asked.

  Evie took her seat in the XO’s chair, leaving Cas standing by himself. No one was paying him any attention. If he wanted he could turn right around and get back in the hypervator. But he was too intrigued by the object on the screen. Instead, he took a seat in the specialist’s chair, which was still unoccupied.

  “We’re already at full magnification,” the Untuburu said. “We’ll have a better look in a few minutes.”

  “What do the sensors say?” Greene asked.

  “It’s composed of galvanium, bortaxium and giving off a high fusion reactor signal,” Page said from the tactical station. “It looks to be Coalition.”

  “It’s the spacedock,” Cas said without thinking. He’d already recognized its shape as it moved closer in the screens. It had been custom-built for the Achlys and was designed to fit around the ship in a way, almost like armor that didn’t touch the outer hull. Most of that was for ease of access to certain areas of the ship while in deep space. When Cas has been stationed on the Achlys they’d only used the spacedock twice, mostly for minor repairs. Its true purpose would come later.

  “Are you sure?” Greene asked. Cas nodded. “Any sign of the Achlys?”

  “No sir,” the Untuburu replied. “Nothing else within two light years.”

  Greene stood. “Blackburn, as soon as we reach the spacedock, plot a search pattern out from its current position out to five light years. I want to see if she drifted away.”

  “Aye,” Blackburn said, already plotting the search grid. Cas could barely see her console from where he sat.

  “Commander,” Greene said. “When we reach the station you and Page get over there. I want to know what’s going on. I assume they’re not responding to communications?”

  Page shook his head. “Nothing but a faint power signature from them.”

  Greene nodded.

  “Sir,” Evie said. “May I have a word?”

  Cas’s heart nearly stopped. He glanced at Evie then back to Greene. Neither of them payed him any attention.

  “Of course. In my command room, please.” Greene turned and left the bridge through the door to the left and Evie followed, still not looking at Cas. As soon as the doors closed Cas felt more like an imposter than he’d ever been. Everyone else continued working at the their stations and the spacedock only grew larger in the viewers, but he didn’t belong here. He’d been tethered to this place by a connection he’d probably just cut in half and no longer had any reason to be here. Evie would make her report to the captain, the captain would either arrest Cas on the spot for violating the admiral’s orders or he would arrange an accident for Cas as soon as he was off the bridge. And if Greene was in Rutledge’s pocket, Evie’s life could be in danger too.

  Why had he been so stupid as to tell her? Because he was still drunk from the night before? Or was it something else? Had he really needed to get it off his chest that badly? Cas realized he should have just kept his mouth shut. He’d managed to do it this long, why had he finally broken his silence?

  Just as he was eyeing the hypervator door he felt a presence beside him and glanced over. the Untuburu stood there, a smile simulated on his holographic face. “Hello,” he said, the word coming out as an ominous whisper. “We haven’t had a chance to meet. Zaal.” He reached out with his robed hand and Cas took it, not thinking. What he ended up gripping was not a hand at all but something that felt mechanical and hard in his grip. He let go almost immediately.

  “Sorry,” Zaal said, his voice deep and heavy, yet somehow cheerful. “I forget to warn humans sometimes. The projection only does so much.”

  “No, it’s fine. It’s just been a while since I’ve met an Untuburu. And I’ve never known one willing to exchange physical contact,” Cas said.

  “I’m expanding my horizons,” Zaal replied. “I wanted to welcome you…since no one else seems to want to.”

  Cas appraised him. As an Untuburu, he could make the holo projection display whatever emotion he wanted at any time. Some people said it made them untrustworthy, since you never knew what was going on behind the “mask”. But Cas figured you could say that about any human. Humans were excellent liars.

  “Thanks,” he said. “Though I won’t be here for long.”

  “I was hoping to speak with you longer,” Zaal said, drawing out the last word, as Untuburu tended to do. “It isn’t every day someone leaves the Coalition. I find you a fascinating person.”

  “Um…sure,” Cas replied.

  Zaal’s projection smiled and he bowed slightly. The blue robe just barely concealing his face. “Excellent. I will seek you out in due time. Until then…I have my duties.” He turned and made his way back over to his station. Cas glanced around and caught Page giving him a dark stare before returning his attention to his own station.

  Greene’s command door opened revealing him and Evie together. They both returned to their respective positions. Cas cursed Zaal. He’d distracted him from his only chance of escape!

  “Robeaux,” Greene said. “You’ll be accompanying Diazal and Page over to the spacedock.”

  Cas sat there for a moment, stunned. She hadn’t told him after all. “Yes, sir,” he finally said. Page’s eyes flashed at him.

  “Let’s do this quickly and correctly,” Greene said to everyone on the bridge. “I don’t want to draw this out.” He turned to Evie. “When you’re done on the spacedock, rendezvous back with the Tempest. Hopefully you’ll find something that tells us where our ship is.”

  Evie placed her fist to her chest.

  “Dismissed.”

  ***

  They stood in Bay Two, close to one of the larger support craft Tempest carried. Cas hadn’t had time to do a full count, but from what he could tell, the ship was equipped with fifteen light support craft ranging from shuttles to tugs to other short-range autonomous vehicles and at least ten or more medium-level support craft. These larger ships weren’t as big as the Reasonable Excuse but could carry up to fifty personnel and were outfitted for different types of missions. Some could be long-range exploratory missions and others could be diplomatic envoys. In addition, it held a compliment of twelve Spacewing class fighter craft, outfitted with nothing but offensive weapons. Typically, they were used for the defense of a stationary object, like Eight. He’d never seen them on a starship before.

  “We’re headed for Kerkini.” Evie indicated the medium-level craft off to the right. Two other crewmen would be accompanying them over to the spacedock, which was now visible through the open Bay hangar, floating out there in space on its side.

  Evie climbed aboard first with the rest of them following behind. Onboard it was like a smaller version of his ship without as many amenities. But it was very similar to the shuttle he’d disabled at Devil’s Gate in décor and aesthetics. The front section of the ship was partitioned off by a door, which Evie and Page passed through, leaving Cas with the two crewmen in the back. Stacked bunks lined the left side of the craft, each complete with its own sliding door for privacy and on the right was storage. In the center was a conference table and chairs that folded underneath. Cas walked over to check the lockers, finding all manner of scanning equipment as well as ten sets of enviro suits. He moved to the back to find a washroom and toilet. Conceivably a crew of ten could live on this craft for weeks or even a month if necessary.

  “Prepare for departure,” Evie’s voice said over the comm and the primary airlock slid closed, the ramp folding up under the ship.

  Cas glanced at the two crewmen who didn’t seem to acknowledge him and took a seat at the planning table in the middle of the small room. They followed suit, taking the two seats furthest from him. He tapped his comm.

  “Box, we’re off. Take care of the ship for me until we get back,” he said.

  “Be careful, boss. Don’t get in over your head over there.”

  “I won’t,” Cas replied. The ship shook and he could just barely feel the inerti
a pull him back as it accelerated through the Bay’s force field. He glanced out the window to see the ship’s hull flying by and just barely caught a glimpse of Bay One, a corner of the Reasonable Excuse peeking out from the edge before it had disappeared and the ship grew smaller.

  After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Page entered, heading for the lockers. “We won’t need the enviro suits,” he said. “We’ll be using the repel fields. Equip yourself with one and prepare to disembark in three minutes.” He pulled five field generators out of the equipment locker, tossing one to each of the crewmen then casually sending one in Cas’s general direction. He had to stand and back up to catch it before it smashed into the far wall. Page didn’t say anything else, only returned to the front section with the remaining two generators.

  Cas affixed his to his belt. They were standard equipment for non-hostile environments. All they did was generate a protective shell around the wearer when the generator detected something dangerous, but they weren’t impervious. Typically they were used in low-risk situations.

  “Fun guy.” Cas shook his head. He knew the two crewmen were staring at him but he didn’t care. A few more days and this would all be over. And Lieutenant Page could just go shove it up his ass.

  20

  They didn’t land on the spacedock, instead Evie piloted the ship so it matched the spacedock’s rotation and speed. They just used the manual docking with the main airlock. Page was the only one armed with a weapon and he went first, everyone else following with their own scanning equipment. All except for Cas, who had nothing.

  “I’d be a lot more helpful if I had a diagnostic device,” he told Evie as they waited for Page to open the airlock on the station’s side.

  “You have everything I’ve been cleared to give you,” she replied. He saw the two crewmembers exchange looks.

  The second airlock opened and Cas’s ears popped as there was a rush of stale air into the ship. The corridor beyond was dark save for a few emergency lights. Page glanced around, assessing the situation. “Everyone stay there until I get the power on,” he said, disappearing into the darkness.

  “Got any theories?” Evie asked.

  Cas turned to her. “About the power? Probably the station going into power-saving mode when it doesn’t detect anyone using any of the primary systems. Standard stuff.”

  “Which begs the question,” Evie said. “Why doesn’t it detect anyone?”

  The lights in the station blinked to life, illuminating the corridor beyond. Page returned from around the corner. “Let’s go,” he said.

  Fifteen minutes later Cas and Evie made their way down one of the side corridors while the others made their way to the main command center of the station. Page had seemed happy to have Cas out of his hair.

  “You didn’t tell Greene,” Cas said as they walked.

  “It didn’t seem necessary at the time,” she replied. “What can he do about it now anyway?”

  “He could toss me in the brig,” Cas replied. “Or out an airlock.”

  Evie scoffed. “He wouldn’t do that. The airlock I mean. He’s one of the most respected captains in the Coalition.”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s you never know who has skeletons in the closet. Usually it’s the people you least expect.” He peered down the empty corridor. It was so odd to see it so desolate.

  “That may be true but Greene is different. He keeps his personal life close to the chest, but I don’t think I’ve known anyone with more integrity.”

  “Haven’t you only been working with him a few days?” Cas asked.

  Her brows pinched together.

  “Ah,” Cas said. “He’s got a stellar reputation, then. Those are never unreliable. Let me ask you something. If you’re so sure of his character, then why not just tell him?”

  She turned and grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Because he’s my captain. And all I’ve got is the word of a convicted criminal. Until I have something more concrete, I’m protecting his interests. It’s what a good first officer does. You should know that.” She let go.

  “Thanks, I guess,” Cas said. “Regardless of your motives. At least you don’t think I’m crazy.”

  “I don’t know what to think,” she said. “Based on your behavior and what I know about you I’m inclined not to believe any of it. But…”

  “What?”

  “Something isn’t adding up. I’m not so sure you are wrong. But until I can prove it, there’s no sense involving the captain.”

  Cas nodded. He hadn’t expected her to actually take him at his word. Or had he? Thankfully he’d had a chance to sober up since the mess hall and now he could see what a monumental risk it was to tell her. It didn’t seem that she was working for Rutledge after all. Although…an abandoned station in the middle of space was a good place to get rid of a body.

  “What?” Evie said. “You’ve got a strange look on your face.”

  “Commander, we’ve reached the control center. Please rendezvous with us here,” Page’s voice said over the comm.

  “Understood, Lieutenant.” She tapped the back of her hand, ending the transmission. She turned back to Cas. “Let’s move.”

  ***

  “What do you have?” Evie asked, entering the small command unit. It was like a stripped-down version of the Tempest’s bridge, without the central display system. Instead massive windows on one of the walls showed the other side of the dock beyond.

  Page turned to one of the crewmen.

  “This room is full of an inorganic residue we can’t identify,” she said. “But it’s been here almost two weeks.”

  “When was the Achlys last heard from?” Evie asked.

  “Two weeks ago,” Page replied.

  She turned back to the crewman. “Is there anything you can tell me about the residue?”

  “It’s only in this room. Nowhere else on the station. If it were the remains of the crew, we’d expect it to be all over the dock.”

  “Let me see it,” she said.

  The crewman moved to the side and pointed to one corner where the other crewman was working, taking a sample from the floor. Evie approached, getting down on her haunches to get a better look. Cas moved closer but Page put out a hand. “That’s far enough.”

  “Lieutenant,” Evie said. “He’s here for a reason.”

  Page studied him for a moment, dropping his hand. Cas didn’t break his stare until he was well past him. He leaned down beside Evie.

  “Any clue?” she asked. “Is this what you were sent to find?”

  He’d never seen the substance before, though it bore a striking similarity to what he’d seen on Kathora. He shuddered. “Definitely not.”

  “Get a sample and let’s move on,” Evie said, standing. She turned to Cas. “How many crew did this thing have?”

  “Twenty-three the last time I was here,” he said. “But that was seven years ago. Though I’m not sure the dock is rated to hold many more. It’s supposed to be mostly autonomous.”

  “All the escape pods are still in place,” Page said, looking at one of the monitors.

  Evie turned back to Cas. “Is what you’re looking for here?”

  He went over and performed a quick scan on the station. It was obvious it wasn’t here. What Rutledge wanted was more than likely on the ship. And there’s no way anyone on the spacedock would have left it unguarded. The dock was nothing more than an accessory; a way to keep everything the Achlys was working on secret and in good working order. It never would have been on the station in the first place.

  Cas shook his head. He really wished the ship had been here. He’d be done and off by now.

  Evie nodded. “Download all the logs, we’ll take them back with us. Let’s get back to the Kerkini. Every second we waste here the Achlys gets further away.”

  ***

  “Hey,” Cas said, pulling Evie aside as everyone else disembarked back on the Tempest. She turned to him. “I know you’re the reason I was
over there. I didn’t want you to think I overlooked that.”

  “Is that your attempt at a thank you?” she asked, walking down the short ramp while he kept up beside her.

  “No, it’s just…I’m glad to know there are people out there that are still capable of fairness.”

  She studied him a moment. “It’s stupid to have you on this ship if we’re not going to use you. Taking you along was reasonable. The captain just had to be convinced you could be trusted.” Ahead of them Page stood at the main Bay doors, watching as they approached.

  “You like staring contests, Page?” Cas asked as they passed. “It seems to be your favorite past time.”

  Page gritted his teeth. “Permission to escort the criminal back to his…quarters.”

  “Denied. I want him back on the bridge,” Evie said. “We’re back to square one here and Mr. Robeaux may have some insight into our next move.”

  Page didn’t say anything else, only fell in step behind them. The two crewmen had already disappeared to what Cas assumed were the science labs to analyze the dust.

  Cas’s comm beeped. “Boss, you back okay?” Box asked.

  Cas tapped the device. “Yep, smooth trip. Box, I’ll—”

  “Did you confess your feelings toward the commander?” he asked.

  Evie slid her eyes to him without looking over, but didn’t falter. Cas cringed, feeling Page’s gaze boring into the back of his neck. “I will talk to you later.” Cas cut the comm. “You’ll have to forgive him,” he said. “He watches a lot of drama. He thinks we’re becoming a bonded pair.”

  There was a snort of derision from behind Cas. He ignored it. Evie scoffed. “If he breathed I’d tell him not to hold it,” she said as they reached the hypervator doors. Cas was more embarrassed than anything else, though he tried not to let it show. When he got back to his ship Box was getting all his vid privileges revoked.

  A short trip later they were back on the bridge, Page taking his station from a female officer Cas didn’t know. Evie held him back as Greene approached. “Commander,” he said, his eyes flicking between them.