“Is that the thinking behind what you've been doing Ayan?” Doc asked.
“It is actually. I haven't said it until now because I really didn't know how fast we'd be able to pick up new technology. Now that we've managed to gather enough for a second refit, even a quick one, it's safe for me to just come out and say. I want this ship to be absolutely revolutionary by the time we go back. I want it to be safer, faster, more capable and harder to find. I hope we don't see as much as one more fight out here, but if we have to defend ourselves, I want us to have the means. I've been meaning to bring this up, and now is as good a time as any. What do you think about permanently integrating the quantum core into our ship's computer once it's cleared, Jason?”
Jason smiled and nodded. “I was hoping you'd be looking to do that. The artificial intelligence that guarded it was completely fragmented when you removed the core from the super carrier. It hasn't been able to activate with most of its operational code missing, so we'll be able to clear the core out of all data. It'll be safe to use once that's been done.”
“So you're saying that we could have a molecular quantum core that could run half a planet's computer systems augmenting our onboard systems?” I asked. The thought hadn't even occurred to me. I only saw it as a short term source of information and a fantastic prize to present to Freeground Fleet Command.
“Yes, and we could even try automating some extra systems with it so the entire ship would respond faster.”
“Well, I have no problems with it as long as you're sure it's safe and test it on secondary systems first. I don't want a hidden artificial intelligence taking over the ship and delivering it to Vindyne.”
“Yes, Captain,” Ayan said with a wink. “We'll be careful.”
“Does anyone have anything they want to bring up?” I asked. There was a long silence, but it was part of the morning meeting ritual we were forming. “Well, let's get to work. One more thing, Jason. Make sure that any information that can help Vindyne's enemies is sent to them right away.”
“I was thinking about doing that. I just don't have an alias ready to approach the recipients with yet,” Jason responded.
“Tell your communications team not to use one. We'll claim credit for providing the information. The First Light is already on Vindyne's public enemy list. We couldn't make amends with them if we wanted to, so we may as well attract their enemies and form alliances with who we can.”
“The enemy of our enemy is our friend. We might just be able to find safe ports out here after all,” Doctor Anderson said with a satisfied smile.
“As for everyone else, let's get as much work on the salvaged materials done as we can. The sooner we finish inventory and upgrading, the sooner we can all relax. I have plans for leave once we're finished in dry dock.”
“I knew you were my kind of Captain,” Min-Chu approved.
“So did I,” Ayan agreed with a wink.
Chapter 2
Visitation
I made my way down to the brig. It was in the rear of the ship ahead of the main thrust control centre in the engine section. We only had eight cells. Each one had two bunks, a sink and, a toilet. Three sides were metal walls, the fourth was transparesteel. A pair of security officers snapped to attention as I came through the heavy outer doors. “At ease,” I said, smiling at them both. “How are you doing today, Genevieve, Shawn?”
“Good sir, just another long day in the brig,” Shawn answered.
“You know you don't have to stand at attention or salute while we're away from Freeground.”
“It's a habit I refuse to break, sir,” Genevieve replied. “Unless you're making it an order.” She smiled at me, so self assured.
“I'd rather leave it as a choice. How is our prisoner doing?”
“She just finished breakfast. I was about to go get her tray.”
“Don't worry, I'll do it for you. Time to tell her what she's in for when we make it to dry dock.” They opened the inner door and I walked into the small cell block. I tried not to shudder as memories of my own incarceration threatened to surface. Our cells weren't prefabricated hard plastic, they were bare steel. There may not have been frills, but the mattress was real, and instead of the electric barriers we had transparent faces to all of our cells. Despite the differences I still had an eerie feeling as I walked down the ramp between the cells. Without a doubt, the brig was my least favourite part of the ship. I'd rather this meeting was under the firing shield beneath the engine exhaust collection systems.
When I came to stand in front of her cell she stood up and casually pushed her empty tray through the slot in the transparent doorway. I accepted it and smiled, “How are you Captain Grays?”
“Just fine. Your breakfasts are better than what we feed our inmates.”
The little good humour I walked in with disappeared. “I know,” I stared at her until the levity in her expression was gone. “I spent a while in a Vindyne cell. We don't believe in an eye for an eye here,” I said flatly. “You're lucky.”
“I didn't know. I've never heard of anyone escaping before the Overlord was disabled.”
“So that was the name of that super carrier? Overlord?”
She nodded. “Vindyne has several of them. They're all called Overlord, with a numerical designation.”
“Well, it fits. I'm surprised that you're so open with that information.”
“Well, what I can tell you doesn't much matter. I don't know exactly how many Vindyne has or where they are. They just don't give people with my rank that kind of information. Most likely because I'm fine with telling you anything you want to know. I'm not willing to suffer for a job in low level command.”
“So Captaining that Marauder was nothing more than a job to you?”
“Oh, it was a good paying job, don't get me wrong. But after surrendering my ship and allowing myself to get captured, I'm sure I've been dismissed. I would be lucky to be hired as a janitor in a waste treatment plant if I were to go back to Vindyne space.”
“Well, it's a good thing we're not in Vindyne space.”
“So we've left the area. I wouldn't stick around either, if I were you.”
“We're headed to a different Corporate port.”
“You're going to sell me to a Vindyne competitor? I should have expected as much.”
“The port we'll be stopping at has no military allegiances with companies linked to or against Vindyne. We're spending an extra day in hyperspace to get there. I'll be happy to leave you behind after we've finished our repairs.”
Captain Grays looked stunned. “Just like that. You'll just let me go?”
“I don't see that you could make anything worse for my crew and I, especially since releasing you will be the last thing we do as we clear moorings and make for our next destination.”
“I was sure you'd put me out the airlock or sell me off.”
I shook my head. “Some of us aren't just doing a job out here, Leslie. My crew are aboard because they have faith in our cause, and we trust each other. When I make a decision, I keep in mind that at the end of the day I have to be able to look any member of my crew right in the eye and face the consequences. The moment I start going against these people's beliefs, that trust begins to fail and everything starts to come apart.” She sat down on her bunk and was listening, staring at the opposite wall. “I have a proposition for you. If your command was just a job to you and nothing more, then I'm willing to pay you for useful information so you don't end up standing in the middle of the port with nothing when we leave you behind.”
Captain Grays looked up at me and just stared. I could see her trying to read me, trying to find some tell-tale sign of deception. “I don't know what to say.”
“Then you won't need this recorder,” I brought out a small, inch long recording device then pushed it through the slot. “If you want to help us, or at least earn yourself some United Core Worlds currency before we drop you off, you can use it to tell us about this area of space or an
y other you've been through.”
She picked the chip up slowly and turned it over in her hand. “I will. Thank you Captain.”
I nodded and started to walk out of the cell block.
“Wait, what is your mission out here?” She called after me.
“I can't say, but it's going better than expected,” I shouted back as I passed through the main hatchway.
I stepped into an express tube that ran the length of the ship. “Bridge three,” I requested of the ship computer.
“There is no bridge three. Please restate desired destination.”
“Okay, mechanic's storage room five,” I specified.
The tube car shuttled me to my destination in seconds, and I stepped out into the hallway right in front of the temporary bridge. We had moved out of the bridge that Ayan and her engineering crew had quickly put together while they were slowly converting it to the primary bridge. No one who wasn't doing work there was allowed in, and from what I had seen, there were only a dozen or so people who spent a few hours on it per day. We couldn't afford to spare more manpower or time on it as we rushed to process the massive amount of salvaged goods before we arrived at our next destination.
The temporary bridge was absolutely nothing to be proud of. There were wires hastily strapped across the floor and ceiling, a salvaged holoprojector in the center, the old captain's chair from the main bridge, and seating that had been hastily bolted to the floor in front of each station. Instead of using actual bridge controls, most of the stations used one or two general computing panels that each had a smaller interactive holographic projection unit.
The thing I liked least about the bridge was the sound of the life support systems overhead. Ever since the last battle, the system would rattle loudly for a few minutes at a time. Other than that, the dim lighting was something I hoped would carry on to the final bridge whenever it was finished.
Other crew members weren't very keen about our cramped temporary bridge either. Most of them felt like they were spending hours in a cave with no windows or large wall displays anywhere. We were still located in the heart of the ship, just a compartment forward from where our permanent bridge was being built. If we were to make a section of a wall transparent we'd either be looking into a main hallway on one side, or into the rest room on the other.
As soon as I walked in, Oz got out of the captain's chair. I took a seat and brought up the general status reports. Everything looked normal at a glance.
“How is our prisoner doing?” He asked.
“She's enjoying the cuisine. Other than that I don't think she believes that we're just going to dump her off at the next port before we leave.”
“I still think we should drop her off in an escape shuttle in orbit around the station instead, and at least pressure her for a little information.”
“I left her a recorder. Besides, I'm trying to leave a good impression on her since we'll be leaving her behind in a busy port.”
“Ah, so you want her to sing our praises. I doubt that'll happen.”
“From what I've seen, she'll be easy to flip. We'll know for sure long before we actually drop her off though.” I turned to Jason who was working at his makeshift communications station with two other members of his team crammed in on either side of him. “Are we patched in to her recorder?”
“We are. I don't think she realizes that it's always on or that it's directly networked with our comm system. It's pretty boring right now though, she's talking about the last colony that Vindyne took over. It matches the records from her Marauder.”
“Keep tabs on what she's recording. If anything doesn't match up with information we already have, then we can't use anything she has to offer.”
“Well, she knows that we have her ship's navigational database, so if she really wants to trick us into a rough corner I think she'll be a little more creative about it,” Oz added.
“We'll have to take everything she gives us with a measure of caution, but at least she's offering something. Besides, it gives her something to do. It's better than her just sitting around trying to invent new ways to make trouble.”
“I can't disagree with you there. I'll send one of the security guards in to talk to her every hour or so.”
“You don't mean--”
“Interrogation? No, I mean to be friendly, keep her spirits up a bit. She might record more important information if she forms a relationship with some of the security officers.”
“Good thinking. If we're going to do things differently than Vindyne, we may as well create a night and day difference.” I found myself staring at the new sidearm and gun belt that Oz was wearing. I hadn't seen that kind of weapon anywhere before. It had a long barrel, more of a hand cannon than anything, and sported some kind of ammunition clip in the handle as well as a much smaller power cell in front of the trigger. The gun belt itself was made of some kind of heavy, thick black material. It was strapped to the leg and across the waist. There was a silvered square on the front that looked like an antique buckle cover, and I concluded it must have been some kind of control. On the opposite side of the belt was a secure pocket large enough for a few clips. The design wasn't as efficient as the holsters and pockets that were built into our uniforms, but the weapons and holsters combined had an ornamental look to them. They made it instantly obvious to anyone that whoever wore it was well armed and they took pride in carrying that weapon.
I looked back down to my arm display and continued to scroll through status reports. “Where'd you get the sidearm Oz?” I whispered.
“One of Ayan's staff found them in a contraband locker we salvaged from The Incinerator.”
“There was a contraband locker?”
“In a room six times the size of this one. From what we could see on the schematics of the ship, there were four of them. We only managed to salvage one.”
“What did you find?”
“It was like walking through the confiscation room on Freeground. I've had it locked down and put two guards on it in a safe storage area.”
“Is the stuff that dangerous?”
“Could be. There were weapons and substances there I've never even heard of before. I only got to peek in a few of the crates. A few of my security team are going to be cataloguing it later today.”
“So that's where you got the gun?”
“Yup. Want one?”
“What kind of weapon is it?”
“It fires an explosive super-thermite round that can be focused or broadened, depending on what you need done. In test shooting, this one fired into four centimetres of hardened hull material and continued to burn for another ten. Not exactly ship friendly, but there is a stunner setting that uses just the energy shot. They have a bioprint safety. One of Ayan's emergency repair crew are figuring the buckles out right now. It's a blank computer from what we can tell. Lots of storage space, no significant programming.”
“I think I want one.”
“I saved one for you. The guns are made to scatter scanning equipment so we can't get an exact read on them for duplication. It would take a week to materialize the metals anyway, they're complex and dense. We're thinking they were designed with that in mind. We can't replicate the belt.”
“Why not?”
“They have a patented molecular scrambling pattern built in like the handgun.”
“I wonder where they come from?”
“Finding that out might be a problem. The manifest from the storage locker is missing, and there are no serial numbers we can find.”
“That could be a problem. I hope there's nothing dangerous sitting in our secure hold.”
“Shouldn't be, we did a cursory scan and didn't find anything unstable.”
“Did you find evidence of explosives?”
“Well, sure, but there's nothing unstable.”
“Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”
Despite the fact that we were in hyperspace, which is normally a very quiet time aboard large stars
hips, there was plenty to do. Everyone became involved with sorting through the salvaged gear and raw materials from the Incinerator and Marauder. There was no escaping it. The waste metals left over after salvage teams were finished extracting useful components were crushed down to be sold as scrap. Softer waste items were fed to recyclers and turned into massive quantities of energy for the materializers and other ship systems. There were even a few disagreements between departments on where some items ended up, which generally had to be settled by myself or Oz.
Research on the new technologies we had acquired was going at a surprisingly quick pace, considering we could only spare a dozen qualified personnel for the task, and proposals for improving the ship were coming in every twenty minutes. Most of them were minor ideas, but everything needed to be reviewed by the Captain if it involved any kind of significant change. Ayan was a great help since her and her senior staff were happy to review new ideas for me, but I tried to do most of the work myself even though the research involved often slowed me down.
I was coming to one conclusion; we weren't just modifying the ship, we were getting ready for another refit. With entirely new systems being added, including energy shielding, an antimatter generation system, power processing units and weaponry, ship wide systems would be changing. We would also be building a new bridge, upgrading medical bay, repairing a huge hull breach and setting up main crew quarters if we had time.
Everyone on the bridge was so busy we barely noticed the passage of time. That is, until the night command crew started coming in. Sergeant Ashbey, who was just a couple years younger than myself, had become the regular night shift acting Captain. Her and four other junior officers made up the hyperspace night bridge crew.
She smiled at Oz. “Good evening Commander.” He turned around and looked up from his command console. I was so preoccupied that I hadn't noticed the night staff arriving. Judging from his expression they had taken him by surprise as well. “Is it shift change? Already?”
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins Page 29
