Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11)

by Jerry Boyd

  The Emperor said, “Thank you. It will have a place of honor.” He turned to me. “And thank you, Commodore. It has been an education getting to know you. I hope we see one another again soon.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. Fly safe.”

  “You, too, Commodore.”

  They climbed aboard and headed back over to their ship. When they made it out of the bay, I said, “That didn’t go nearly as bad as it could have, I don’t think.”

  Nikki replied, “He’s not back to his ship, yet. Do you really think the folks who want to sabotage this treaty are going to give up this easily?”

  “Murphy is our shepherd. Should I have offered him a fighter escort?”

  “I’m not sure he wouldn’t see that as a statement on his control of the fleet, and take it as disrespect.”

  “You’re probably right. We better get to the bridge, in case something happens.” We jumped in the transit, and I asked Gene for priority. It didn’t take long to be walking onto the bridge. Saucy called out, “Double Trouble, on the bridge.”

  I replied, “Asshole you were.”

  Topper said, “Did I overstep, Boss?”

  “No. What color puppy do you want?”

  “I get one of Payback’s puppies? Thanks, Boss.”

  I looked at Nikki. “He’s so easily amused.” I looked back at Topper. “Is the Emperor having a safe trip home?”

  “So far, so good, Boss. What are you expecting?”

  “I don’t know. Whatever those turkeys who don’t want the treaty have left up their sleeve.”

  Sue called out, “Emperor’s vessel is venting, Boss.”

  “Ruth, get that vessel aboard, yesterday.”

  “On it, Boss.” I was there, I saw it happen, and I’m still not entirely sure how Ruth made it happen. I think she jumped in front of the Emperor’s ship, and let their velocity bring them aboard. All I’m sure about is that she called “Emperor aboard!” almost before I finished giving the order. Topper called out, “Medical team’s on the way. Scotti is breaching the door, to get them oxygen.” He put the view of the landing bay on the main screen. When the door came open, the Emperor’s secretary was standing shoulder to shoulder with a Squirrel I hadn’t seen. I assumed he was the pilot. The speed at which those two were stunned was truly amazing. My crew, on the job once again. A couple of Marines restrained them, while Bone ran aboard and brought the Emperor and Natti out. He laid them on the deck, and a medbot started checking them over. Dixie came running into the bay to assist. She checked on the patients, and commed me. “Boss, they’re both alive. It looks like we got them aboard before their ship vented all the way to vacuum. There will be some bruising, but I don’t think there is any eye damage, or lung problems.”

  “Thank goodness. I better call their ship and let them know what happened.”

  “Later, Boss.”

  “Later.”

  Saucy said, “You won’t have to call them, Boss. They’re already on the line.”

  “Commodore Wilson.”

  “Snappi here, Commodore. Would you be so kind as to tell me what happened over there?”

  “My sensor operator saw the Emperor’s ship venting atmosphere. We maneuvered to get them back aboard as quickly as we could. The Emperor and your uncle are in good shape, my medic thinks we got them aboard before their ship actually finished venting.”

  “I’m not surprised. That was some fine ship handling. What about the Emperor’s secretary, and the pilot?”

  “They’re stunned and restrained. We’ll see what they have to say when they wake up.”

  “I know I don’t want to know, but it’s a job requirement. How did they come to be stunned and restrained?”

  “Meeting us at the door with weapons. As suddenly as the ship started to vent, I would have to assume that anyone still moving around afterwards had prior knowledge of the event.”

  “You’re saying that you think they were in on the attempt on the Emperor’s life?”

  “I’m saying I think that’s the way to bet. I don’t have anything approaching proof, yet.”

  “What would you do in my situation?”

  “Catch the Emperor’s crew chief before someone silences him, and then send some medics you trust over to help take care of the Emperor and your uncle.”

  “That sounds like a good plan, Commodore. I’ll call again when we launch the ship with the medics.”

  “Talk to you then.” The line went dead. I said, “Excellent work, Ruth. Just magnificent!”

  “Thanks, Boss. I thought I was being paranoid, keeping a rescue scenario updated all the time.”

  “Apparently not. I think we need to make that company policy, from here on out.”

  “You bet, Boss.”

  Nikki said, “I think you’ve overtaken me, as the best pilot.”

  Ruth replied, “You’re still better with matching tumbles than I am, Ma’am. I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m doing wrong, with simulations, but I can’t seem to get the hang of how you do it.”

  “We could work together on it, if you’d like.”

  “I would enjoy that, Ma’am.”

  Saucy spoke up. “Sorry to interrupt. Dixie for you, Commodore.”

  “On speaker.”

  “Boss, the Emperor looks like he’ll be waking up soon. Do you mind coming down to be here when he does?”

  “Probably better. His people just aren’t used to mechanical folks.”

  “Thanks.” The line went dead.

  I said, “Topper, call me if anything happens. Your ship.”

  “My ship, Boss.” I turned to leave, and Nikki turned to come with me. It really showed off her dress.

  I said, “Dangit, Space Cadet, I’ve got to find time to peel you out of that. You look nice!”

  “Well, I always have had a weakness for a man in uniform.”

  We got to the transit, and Gene gave us priority. The Emperor was just beginning to toss and groan when we arrived. He woke, and asked, “What happened, Commodore?”

  I replied, “It would appear your secretary and your pilot tried to assassinate you and the Ambassador.”

  “You say ‘It would appear’. What is your evidence?”

  “Your ship began venting atmosphere unexpectedly. When we recovered it, they were both conscious and ready to fight. That leads me to believe they had advance knowledge of the venting.”

  “You haven’t looked for more proof aboard the ship?”

  “No. My people retrieved you and the Ambassador, and we haven’t been aboard since.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Mostly, there hasn’t been time to do anything like that. You weren’t out that long.”

  Natti began to wake up. “What happened, Majesty?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to find out. The Commodore and his crew were nice enough to pluck us out of space when our craft vented its atmosphere. I would say we owe our lives to the quick action of the Commodore and his crew.”

  Natti looked at me. “Bob, what happened?”

  “Well, Natti, it looks like the pilot and the Emperor’s secretary were in on a plot to vent the air out of the shuttle, and claim it was a terrible accident. I’m sure that somehow, in the aftermath, all the agreements we worked so hard on would have been thrown out.”

  “What makes you think the secretary was in on it?”

  “She was awake, with a weapon, when we opened the door. She and the pilot appeared to be ready to keep us from giving you two assistance.”

  “They would have let us die?”

  “I doubt you would have died. My helm got you aboard before your ship even finished venting. Dixie here says you came through your ordeal with very little damage.”

  “Where are those two?”

  “I would expect they were taken to the brig, until such time as you are ready to take them into custody.”

  “You don’t know?”

  “I got here just before His Majesty woke up. I haven’t h
ad time to ask any questions.”

  Andre walked up. “Boss, we searched them thoroughly, and put them in the brig. Separate cells, of course.”

  “Thanks for the update, Andre. Were they carrying anything we hadn’t seen before?”

  “If they were, we failed to find it. The female had a good supply of those cheek knives these people favor, though. Two on each side. Dixie says they were poisoned, just like the one they got you with.”

  I looked at the Emperor. “Sounds like she was your retirement plan. Your heir must be getting impatient.”

  Natti spoke up. “The Emperor isn’t a hereditary position. The Council of Ministers elects the new Emperor, something like your people do to choose a new Pope.”

  “Either way, somebody wants him on down the road, and a new guy on the throne.”

  The Emperor said, “I fear you are right, Commodore. I had no idea that so many people were unhappy with my rule.”

  “Could it be that the nut cartel is stirring up unrest, just because you’ve become aware of how much influence they have?”

  “It is possible, I suppose. They do seem to have a good supply of Naval officers and bureaucrats bought and paid for.”

  “It would seem to me that your goal should be to hold on to the throne until we can bring the price of walnuts down, and break their power. Once they no longer have money flowing in, they should be easier to handle.”

  “That sounds so easy. I fear that in reality, it will be somewhat more challenging.”

  “Good thing we have such a fine specimen as yourself in charge, then, isn’t it?”

  “I’m beginning to understand those reports that talk about your people saying you wear contacts to hide your brown eyes, Commodore.”

  “We will be willing to do whatever you need us to, to help you in the endeavor. We do have a few ships that need something to do.”

  “That would get my people riled up. The Emperor staying on the throne with the help of the infamous monkey? That would cause more trouble than it solved, I’m afraid.”

  “Do as you think best. I hope you won’t mind if I keep part of the fleet handy, in case you change your mind?”

  “I wouldn’t mind that at all, Commodore. Please, though, if you should elect to have them stage on our side of the border, keep them out of sight?”

  “Of course. We wouldn’t want to start the trouble we are trying to prevent.”

  “I suppose I should make an announcement, so that the fleet knows I am still alive.”

  “I told Captain Dressi, but seeing your face would probably be more convincing.”

  He pulled out his comm, and started trying to calm down his officers. Nikki and I backed away, to let him work, as did Natti. He said, “You saved our bacon again, Commodore. I shudder to think what it’s going to cost us, when you need a favor in return.”

  Nikki said, “I’ll try and get him to go easy on you, Ambassador.”

  Natti replied, “Good luck with that. I’m afraid he’ll send the Grannies to Oak as his Ambassadors.”

  I said, “Couldn’t do that, as good as it sounds. One of them is pregnant.”

  “I sincerely and fervently hope for the good health of the child. As long as she is busy with her offspring, I may have a chance at this job.”

  “There is one thing I suppose we should talk about. I was going to just take care of it myself, having grown tired of asking, but with this latest nonsense, I don’t want to do anything that might be misconstrued.”

  “I thought they brought those platforms in. They showed us the platforms as they unloaded them.”

  “They put out new ones, as they were picking up the old ones. Not even better ones, just different ones of the same type. The only way all this makes sense to me, is if they think the only way we’re finding them is that one of your team is giving us the coordinates. We both know that isn’t the case, but it would seem someone thinks you are a traitor.”

  “That sounds dangerous, at least to me personally, and possibly to the peace. What were you going to do about it?”

  “I had planned a nice fireworks display while your fleet was maneuvering to leave the system. I’m having second thoughts about that, now.”

  “I can see how you would. Probably best to hold off on that, until we’re actually in FTL.”

  The Emperor finished what he was doing. He said, “I think that has them calmed down, at least for now. The officer who recommended my secretary looked more than a little pale, though.”

  I asked, “Do you think he is part of the plot?”

  “I wouldn’t have thought so, but his reaction is making me think again.”

  “I have to say, Your Majesty, I’m glad I only have my little fleet to keep up with. I surely wouldn’t want your job.”

  “Obviously not, or you would have conquered yourself an Empire by now. I’ve often wondered why you hadn’t.”

  “Just not cut out for the job, I’m afraid. I’m certainly not going to conquer an Empire, just to hand it over to someone else, and I’m not the man to run it. So conquering isn’t on the agenda.”

  “You’re not easy for me to understand, Commodore.”

  “Likewise, I’m sure. I’m doing the best I can.”

  “I look forward to doing business with you in the future.”

  “I think it will be profitable for both our organizations, Your Majesty.”

  “I’d better be getting back. How do we go about that?”

  “I’d be happy to fly you over. If you give us remote access to the ship you came over on, we can take it with us, for your people to examine.”

  “That would be fine.” Natti ran to the ship, and came back a little later. He said, “Sorry, Your Majesty, the pilot locked the controls. I’m not able to give them remote access.”

  I said, “We have the cure for that, too. Gene, tell Ace to get aboard his recovery ship, and get his tin butt over here, if you would.”

  “On it, Boss.”

  I looked at Natti. “You should close the hatch, since it’s going to be in vacuum. We better back up, Ace will need room to work.” Hopper was riding the hook when Ace brought the ship in. He set a rescue eye, and hooked the cable to it. Then he scampered back up the cable, before Ace reeled it in. Once he had it snugged against the ship, stabilizers came out from the legs of the ship to keep the Emperor’s ship from swinging as he hauled it to the Emperor’s yacht. As soon as he had it secured, he lifted, and headed out. A saucer came scooting in, and set down right where the Emperor’s ship had been. A bot came to the door, that I recognized as being Ruth’s backup at the helm. I started forward, and she said, “Nope. Sorry Boss, I’m taking the Emperor home.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Nanny protocol, Boss. Mr. Topper said I wasn’t to let you get near the Emperor’s yacht, without a squad of Marines and a fighter escort. Do you really want to make the Emperor wait, while I go after a bigger ship, so you can take him yourself?”

  “I suppose not. No fancy flying, though. The Emperor doesn’t trust you like I do.”

  “Understood. If you would come aboard, Your Majesty? We’ll see if we can make the trip without so much drama this time.”

  The Emperor was a little taken aback by the exchange, but he said, “Of course. Thank you, young lady.”

  The bot said, “Oh, Your Majesty! Promise me you’ll never look at the build date on my nameplate. That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard in just ages.”

  Natti chuckled, “Are you sure you are a good influence on these bots, Bob?”

  “Probably not. We do have fun, though. Fly safe, Your Majesty, Mr. Ambassador.”

  The Emperor replied, “You too, Commodore. The universe needs more of your kind of fun, I think.”

  They climbed aboard, and the ship lifted. She eased it out, and went to FTL as soon as she was far enough from the Gene. I commed Topper. “Is she taking him all the way to Oak?”

  “No, Boss. We just wanted to be sure no one had a chance to take a pot shot on
the way back. Didn’t mean to surprise you.”

  “No worries. Tell Tex not to light up the sensor platforms until they are out of the system. Things are tense enough right now, without fireworks.”

  “He’s disappointed, but he understands the need.”

  “Good enough. I better call Snappi and tell him he doesn’t need to send medics. Talk to you later.”

  “Later, Boss.”

  I commed Snappi. He said, “No medics needed, I figured that much out, Commodore. Your pilot is pretty slick with those short jumps.”

  “She wasn’t interested in finding that turret that’s in mutineer hands the hard way, with the Emperor aboard.”

  “You think one of my turrets is in enemy hands?”

  “I can’t afford to ignore the possibility, would be more accurate. I’m sure you’ve done everything you could think of, to keep the Emperor safe.”

  “Oh my! We’ve got a situation, Commodore. Your pilot had to stun a couple of my men who attempted to take her into custody.”

  “That’s good news. The mutineers are out of stunner resistant types. Did she get away?”

  “A couple of the fellas who work in that bay are going to need clean uniforms, I think, but she got the saucer off our ship.”

  “Scared them good, did she?”

  “Oh yeah. Anything else you need?”

  “Can’t think of a thing. Fly safe. Hope to see you again soon.”

  “You fly safe as well, Commodore. The galaxy needs more like you.” The line went dead.

  I turned to Nikki. “You want to go up to the bridge and watch Tex’s fireworks show?”

  “I suppose, as long as you don’t get involved in some other nonsense, and spend the rest of the day there.”

  “We do have other things to take care of today, don’t we?”

  “That we do. I was promised a peeling, I believe?”

  “Yes, yes you were.” We got aboard the transit, and headed for the bridge. Gene must have warned them we were coming, because the whole bridge crew broke out in cheers when we came through the door.

  I asked, “What’s the celebration about?”

  Topper said, “You managed to make peace with the Squirrels. We don’t have to go to war. Isn’t that enough?”