by Glenn Smith
“How do we know he’ll pay us, Carlos?” Geoff asked him. “How do we know he doesn’t intend to stiff us when we get wherever we’re going?”
“The money is onboard this vessel right now,” Dylan told him.
Geoff looked at him as though he’d seen a ghost. “What? Where?”
“If I tell you, will you agree to take me the rest of the way?”
“Maybe.”
“I would like to raise another point before you make your final decision, Geoff,” Verdai said, speaking up for the first time.
“Go ahead,” Geoff said without taking his eyes off of Dylan.
“He claims to not be the man they are looking for. I propose that whether or not that is true is not directly any of our business, and that we therefore do not need to know. If I learned only one thing while I lived under Veshtonn rule, it is that when it comes to situations like this, one is better off minding one’s own business.”
“This isn’t Naku-Wei, Verdai,” Geoff reminded him, “and we’re not talking about living under Veshtonn rule. We’re talking about the Solfleet and Federation law.”
“Then look at it this way, Geoff,” Nicole said. “If we take him where he wants to go, we stand to make a lot of money. If we turn him over to the authorities and he’s tried and found guilty of whatever charges he’s facing, then they’ll freeze his assets until they can determine whether or not any of them are the fruits of illegal activities, which could take a very long time. Chances are we’ll never see the rest of our fee if that happens. And even if he’s found innocent we still lose. We’ll have earned a reputation for being contract shippers who double-cross their clients. That would not be good for business, my dear brother.”
Geoff sighed. He looked as though he was almost ready to give in. Almost. “I still don’t like it,” he said.
“I’ll tell them I forced you to transport me,” Dylan offered. “I’ll tell them I threatened to kill all of you unless you took me where I wanted to go.”
“Then you really would be a criminal,” Nicole pointed out.
“They already think I am, so what’s the difference?”
Geoff glared at him for several seconds as though he were trying to read his mind. Then, finally, he acquiesced. “All right. What the hell, let’s do it.”
“Thank you, Geoff,” Dylan said to him.
“I’m only doing this so Nicole doesn’t have to go back to work,” Geoff advised him in no uncertain terms. “You can thank me by paying us when we get there.”
“Fair enough.”
Geoff stood up from the table, and the others followed suit. “I’ll be topside,” he said.
Dylan took Verdai gently by the arm and held him in place while he waited for the others to leave. “I have a suggestion,” he said when they were alone.
“What?”
“Alter our course at irregular intervals, zigzagging back and forth the whole way. That’ll make us harder to track, right?”
“Actually no, it will not. It will make it easier. Perhaps you should leave the piloting to the pilots.” With that, the Naku turned his back and headed topside.
Dylan stood there for a moment and thought over all that had happened since they’d left Mars. Twice they’d been stopped by someone who wasn’t at all concerned with their being able to maintain their freedom and wellbeing and twice Solfleet had come to their rescue. Then, in an odd twist of fate, al-Arashi and his people had rescued him from Solfleet.
Dylan was beginning to think that maybe God was truly on his side after all—that he was going to achieve his mission objectives despite himself.
Chapter 64
Weeks Later
Dylan climbed out of bed the moment he woke up, glad that the day had finally come and anxious at the same time. Late June had come and gone. The Excalibur had no doubt already been destroyed. There was nothing more he could do now—not in this timeline. If he failed today, then he failed for good. They’d lock him up and throw away the key, and history would repeat itself unchanged. Or at least, mostly unchanged. He had left a footprint on this timeline. He’d killed that suspect back in the shipyard and saved Nancy Gillis’ life, he’d likely prevented Doctor Royer’s abduction, and he’d met Admiral Hansen as a younger major when he shouldn’t have. Those actions were bound to exert at least some influence on future events.
He stepped into the head to shower, shave, and trim the moustache and goatee that he’d decided to let grow in—making himself look a little different was probably a good idea after all—and then got dressed and headed forward for breakfast.
“Good morning, Eric,” Verdai said right before he took a bite of his breakfast as Dylan stepped up to the food cabinet. The Naku had taken a seat on the couch rather than at the table for a change, his breakfast plate balanced atop the fingers of his right hand.
“Good morning,” Dylan replied. It had been the same every morning since the day after they escaped from the Ice Dagger and the Katana. Geoff would be topside already, going over all the instruments to make sure they were still on course and that all ship’s systems were still functioning properly, Nicole, if she was awake yet, would be somewhere on Carlos’ heels helping to ensure that all the jury-rigged repairs to those systems were still intact and in the best possible working order, and Stacy would be off somewhere alone—most likely down in one of the twin observation bays stargazing again. She still hadn’t recovered fully emotionally. At least, not that Dylan could see. She was quiet and reserved, very timid, and much more introverted than she had been. In fact, she hardly ever talked to anyone at all anymore.
Despite the way she’d tempted him so overtly until he’d finally given in to her, not that it had taken very long, Dylan found that he preferred her the way she was... outgoing, flirtatious, and full of life. Seeing her the way she was now constantly reminded him of how much harm he had brought to these people, and he still felt every bit as guilty now as had when al-Arashi and his Ice Dagger threatened all of them.
He noticed Verdai staring at him—more like felt his eyes on him—and wondered why, then realized that he was still standing in front of the cabinet, staring at it. He reached in and grabbed a breakfast pouch—he didn’t really care what, as after all this time they were all starting to taste the same—and poured himself a cup of coffee, then took a seat at the table. “So, how are things this morning, Verdai?” he asked.
“Things are all right, Eric. We are apparently still alone out here and in one piece.”
“Yes, we are indeed still in one piece,” Carlos confirmed as he came down the gangway, “and we’ll reach your destination this morning, Eric. So, are you going to tell us what’s out here or what?”
Dylan sighed. “I told you, Carlos, I... can’t tell you. I made that clear even before we left Mars.”
“You weren’t even intending to come here when we left Mars,” the engineer reminded him. “You originally hired us to take you somewhere else.”
“I still can’t tell you.”
Carlos shrugged. “Oh well. Thought I’d give it another shot anyway.”
“Holy shit! We just dropped out of jumpspace!” Geoff exclaimed over the intercom.
The others all looked at Dylan. “It’s all right,” he told them as he walked over to the comm-panel on the bulkhead. “There’s a ring nearby.” He tapped the call button. “It’s all right,” he repeated. “There’s a jumpstation not far from here, Geoff. Scan the immediate area. You’re looking for other vessels.”
“Don’t look now, folks,” Geoff’s voice came back, “but we’ve got company again.”
“Not again,” Garcia remarked.
“So much for being left alone,” Verdai added.
“It’ll be different this time,” Dylan told them. “I expected this. Let’s go take a look,” he suggested. Carlos stepped aside and let Dylan and Verdai pass him by and lead the way back up to the flight deck.
“What’ve you got?” Dylan asked as he and Verdai stopped on either side
of Geoff, who was sitting very straight in the pilot’s seat. He knew, of course, who was out there.
“See for yourself,” Geoff replied, pointing.
The object had come into visual range in the center right of the forward viewport and was growing in size and definition with each passing second. “A Federation Security patrol skiff,” Dylan observed.
“Not just Federation,” Geoff corrected him. “It’s beacon reads as Solfleet.”
“Why are they approaching us?” Verdai asked. “Is this not open space?”
“Open all channels for incoming communications,” Dylan instructed Geoff as though he were in command.
Earlier in their voyage, Geoff might have responded with a sarcastic, “Yes, sir,” or might not have responded at all, but not now—not after all they’d been through. He reached over to the comm-panel without comment and opened the channels just as Dylan had told him to. Barely a second passed before they received a communication.
“Unidentified civilian cruiser,” came an authoritative voice through the speaker, “this is Lieutenant Commander Walter Rogers of Solfleet Security aboard patrol skiff Ranger one-six. Why are you not transmitting an identification beacon? Please identify yourself and state your business in this area.”
Geoff turned and glared at Dylan, obviously not at all happy about what was happening, and threw all politeness and manners out the nearest airlock. “Okay, mystery man,” he said. “Just what exactly have you gotten us into this time? And why is my identification beacon disabled?”
“Unidentified cruiser, please respond.”
“I suggest you answer their hail, Geoff,” Dylan said.
“Damn it, Eric! I didn’t agree to bring you all the way out here just to get us all arrested! You said you’d protect us!”
“I can’t do that until you answer that hail, Geoff.”
“Unidentified cruiser...”
“Patrol skiff Ranger one-six, this is Geoff Dehner piloting the private cruiser Star...”
Dylan quickly reached past him and abruptly cut the transmission.
“What the hell did you do that for?” Geoff asked him.
“I didn’t think you’d tell them who we really are, Geoff,” Dylan told him. “Not after the way we fled from the Katana. Half the Solfleet must be looking for us by now.”
“Say again, cruiser. You were cut off.”
“What the hell did you think I’d tell him? You said you’d protect us, remember?” Geoff reminded him again. “Why should I lie?”
“That doesn’t mean you have to advertise. Give them a fake name, for God’s sake.”
“Come in, cruiser.”
“You mean for your sake,” Geoff countered. Then he reopened the channel. “I apologize for the delay, Ranger one-six. We had a communications glitch. It’s taken care of now. In answer to your question, we’re just passing through on a pleasure trip.”
“Say again the name of your vessel. Star what?”
Geoff glared at Dylan once more, then answered, “It’s the Star... Arrow. I’m the owner and operator, Geoff... Gainer. Our beacon has malfunctioned. My engineer and his assistant are working on it as we speak. Is there some kind of problem, Commander?”
“You’ve entered restricted space. You will reverse course and exit this sector.”
“Okay, but we didn’t see or hear any warning buoys or beacons.”
“They’re malfunctioning, much like your identification beacon. Reverse course now.”
“Whatever you say, Commander,” Geoff replied. Then he closed the channel and added, “No need to be sarcastic about it.”
“Maintain your present course,” Dylan said as Geoff reached for the controls.
“Excuse me?” Geoff asked, looking up at him.
“I said, maintain your present course. Do not deviate.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Eric? You heard the man.”
“I’m paying you to take me forward, not back,” Dylan pointed out. “If you alter course, you don’t get paid.”
Geoff leapt to his feet and stood face-to-face with Dylan. “And if I don’t alter course I get arrested... or worse! That’s a hell of a choice you’re giving me!”
Dylan leaned around Geoff and reopened the channel to the skiff. “Commander Rogers, this is... a passenger aboard the cruiser. The pilot and crew aboard this vessel have no idea what lies ahead. I, on the other hand, have business on... the planet.”
“Who is this?” came the surprised voice of the officer. “Please identify yourself.”
“My name is Special Agent Richard Jennings, Solfleet Intelligence.” Geoff and Verdai both threw shocked looks at him, then at each other, and then back at him. The channel remained open, but carried only silence across the icy black void for the next several seconds while Dylan waited for the officer to respond. Hopefully the officer would dock and allow him to go aboard his skiff. Then he could let the Star Eagle go on its way. Once aboard the skiff, he’d be halfway there.
“Star Arrow, prepare to be taken in tow.”
“Negative, Commander,” Dylan quickly responded. “As I said, no one but me aboard this vessel knows anything about what lies ahead. That cannot change, for reasons that I’m sure are very obvious to you.” That much, at least, was true. “They’re just my transportation. There’s no reason to risk a security breach by taking them any closer.”
“I can’t take that chance, Commander. Your transportation’s captain just lied to me.”
“No, he didn’t. He really did think this was just a pleasure trip.”
“He lied about that little glitch in communications. Your coil emissions have remained steady since this channel was opened.”
“I was the glitch, Commander. I accidently leaned on the button.”
“Nevertheless, I’m going to have to detain your vessel with all hands. If what you tell me checks out, then they’ll be free to go.”
Dylan sighed. That wasn’t the response he’d wanted, but he knew that if he pushed too hard things might go very wrong very quickly. “Fair enough, Commander,” he finally agreed. “Star Arrow out.” Dylan closed the channel again.
“Just who the hell are you anyway?” Geoff angrily inquired. “What’s going on?”
“Relax, Geoff. You’ll only be detained for a short time.”
“Like hell!” Geoff grabbed Dylan by his shirt and shoved him back toward the gangway with surprising ferocity, nearly sending him tumbling down the stairs before Dylan grabbed the railing and stopped himself. Then, while Dylan righted himself, Geoff quickly turned back to the controls and changed course. By the time Dylan reached him again, they were coming full about.
“Geoff, no! Don’t run!” Dylan yelled. But he was too late. Geoff had engaged full power. The commander would know they were making a run for it. Dylan reached for the controls, but Geoff blocked his path, and then Verdai grabbed him from behind by the arms.
Things had just become a lot more complicated.
“What’s going on up there?” Nicole hollered as she climbed the gangway with Carlos hot on her heels. Then, as soon as Carlos saw Verdai struggling to hold onto Dylan, he burst forward to help his crewmate.
“Star Arrow, you are ordered to cut power and respond, right now!” Commander Rogers shouted over the comm.
“This guy’s an agent with the S-I-A!” Geoff told his sister and their friend. “Now we got Solfleet cops on our ass!”
“Star Arrow, cut power and respond!”
“And we’re running?” Nicole asked fearfully.
“I tried to stop him,” Dylan told her. He could have broken free, of course, even from the Naku’s hold, but he had no desire to hurt anyone.
“Star Arrow, respond now!”
Nicole ran to her brother’s side. “Geoff, cut power!” she pleaded.
“Are you crazy, Sis? They’re going to arrest us!”
“Civilian cruiser, you have been identified as the Star Eagle, Federation registry, owned and operated by Ge
off and Nicole Dehner of Red Gulch on Mars. You are known to be harboring a fugitive wanted for capital crimes and are hereby ordered to cut power for towing or we will be forced to fire on you!”
Shit. “They weren’t going to arrest you, Geoff!” Dylan shouted at the man. “They would only have detained you for a short time! You shouldn’t have run, you idiot!”
“We are preparing to fire. Cut... power... NOW!”
“Geoff, they’re going to shoot us down!” Nicole exclaimed. “Do what he says!”
Suddenly the ship rocked and the lights dimmed and flickered. Then the emergency lights came up as the warning claxon sounded. Geoff returned to his seat and cut off the alarm, then looked over his damage-control readouts in despair. “Our engines are off line!”
“Star Eagle, this is Ranger one-six. We have grappled on and are preparing to dock. Our readings show that your engines are off line. Please do not force us to fire on you. Surrender now. Cycle your airlock and prepare to be boarded.”
“Don’t force them to fire?” Carlos asked. “I thought they just did.”
“Okay, Mister Eric Richards, or Dylan Graves, or Richard Jennings, or whatever the hell your name really is,” Geoff said spitefully. “What now?”
“Star Eagle, respond.”
What now, indeed? How the hell was he going to do what he needed to do if they took him into custody and locked him up? “Tell them your controls are locked,” Dylan replied. “Tell them you will to comply, but that you need a few minutes.”
“Why should I trust you at this point?”
“Because you asked him, Geoff,” Nicole answered for Dylan. “Now do it.”
Geoff glanced at his sister and then glared back at Dylan. He obviously no longer trusted him at all, but he apparently didn’t have any better ideas, either. He turned back to his console. “Ranger one-six, this is the Star Eagle. First, I apologize for misidentifying myself. My so-called passenger forced me to do that. Secondly, as a result of your actions against us, my controls are locked. I will comply with your instructions as ordered, but I need a few minutes to bypass our primary circuits and bring my vessel back under full control.”
