by Terry Mixon
“Put it on screen.”
A furious Captain Breckenridge appeared. “God dammit, Commander, I gave you a direct order to leave that ship there and return as quickly as possible. Are you deaf?”
“Captain Breckenridge, do you need further assistance with rescue operations?” Jared asked, ignoring the other man’s bluster.
“It’s a little late now, don’t you think? No. We’ve almost completed rescue operations at this point. We could’ve used your help a few hours ago. Give me an update on your status.”
“We ambushed the destroyer and disabled it. I sent marines aboard to capture it before he could self-destruct. We have prisoners, including one of the officers. We’re questioning them.”
Breckenridge shook his head. “Negative. I’ll take possession of the prisoners and that ship at once. My officers will see to any questioning.”
Not a chance in hell. “Princess Kelsey has decided that she’s going to question the prisoners. And she has determined that she’s not releasing control of that ship until she has finished. She has instructed me to set up a meeting on her behalf so that we can discuss this in private. If all of your cutters are engaged in rescue operations, I’d be happy to send one of ours to pick you up.”
Captain Breckenridge’s face turned a bright purple. “I made it perfectly clear that she was not to be allowed into this system. You’ve disregarded my orders again. You’re going to regret that, Commander. I need to get things in order here before we speak again.”
The screen cleared without a goodbye.
“He’s never going to admit he made a mistake.”
Jared turned and faced the lift that had just opened. Commander Meyer stood there. Jared allowed himself a small smile as the man took a seat at the rear of the bridge. “Forgive me, Commander, but I didn’t think you believed he made mistakes.”
The other man shook his head. “I’ve had time to think about all the mistakes that he’s made. And the mistakes that I’ve made. After your doctor patched me up, I reviewed the engagement records. He’s not going to admit that he botched everything. That’s not his way. He’s going to take it out on you.”
“He’s going to try to take it out on me,” Jared corrected. “Not that it’ll work. He’s been spoiling for a fight ever since he got here and he’s going to get it. His actions contributed to the deaths of thousands of Fleet personnel. If he wants to push this issue with me or the princess, we’re going to push right back.”
Commander Meyer shook his head. “You still don’t understand. He’s in command of that task force. Nothing that you do is going to change that. If the princess tries to relieve him of command, it’s going to cause a complete break. And frankly, he hasn’t demonstrated any behavior that actually warrants being relieved of command. Just poor judgment.”
As annoying as that was, Jared knew Meyer was correct. If only it was so easy.
He rose to his feet. “Walk with me, Commander. I think it’s time we had a long talk and settled a few things. Zia, you have the bridge.”
“Aye, sir.”
Once inside the lift, Jared started them on their way towards where they were keeping the prisoners. “Doctor Stone tells me that your injuries were minor, but I know that that doesn’t mean they don’t feel serious. Are you all right?”
The tall officer nodded. “It wasn’t a direct hit and my armor absorbed most of the damage. It scared me. I thought I was going to die. But you know what really made me reconsider so many things? Princess Kelsey.”
Jared led the way out of the lift as soon as it stopped. “How so?”
“When we were ambushed, she never hesitated. She jumped right into the middle of the enemy marines and attacked. She hit them, she shot them, and she never showed even the slightest hint of fear. It makes me a little ashamed. No, it takes me a lot ashamed. When she ran toward the enemy, I held back. I could’ve helped her, but I watched, too afraid to act. And then someone shot me.”
The officer rubbed his face. “I’ve never felt like that in space combat. Before I became executive officer on Spear, I commanded a light cruiser. I took her into simulated battle and fought tooth and nail. I thought I knew what fear was, but I was wrong.”
Jared knew exactly how he felt. “Someone once told me that only idiots aren’t afraid of dying. He said that bravery just meant riding the wave of your fear and doing what you had to do. If you were still in command of that light cruiser, would you do what Captain Macumber did? Put your ship between a wounded comrade and certain death?”
Meyer’s expression hardened. “Of course I would.”
“Then you’re brave enough. Fighting hand-to-hand isn’t something that everyone can do. I’ve been where you were and I didn’t like it very much either. Give me the command deck of this ship any day. I think if you find yourself in the same situation again, you’ll do what you have to. Don’t tear yourself apart, second-guessing everything you did. Learn from it and do better the next time.”
They passed between the armed marines guarding the prisoners. More marines armed with neural disruptors set to stun lined the cargo deck bulkheads. The prisoners sat on bunks set up in an open area. Each had a restraint around their ankle bolted to the deck. If they needed to use the head, two marines of the appropriate gender would release them long enough to take care of business.
The most seriously injured of the prisoners was still in the medical center. Also under guard.
Jared stopped far enough away from the prisoners so that they couldn’t overhear him. “Commander Graves has been interrogating these people. They wear Fleet uniforms, but they don’t serve any Fleet that I’m familiar with. They all fought ferociously when we boarded the ship, but once the fighting was over, they seemed to just give up. Commander Graves intimidated them. Not because he was the enemy, because he was a Fleet officer in uniform.
“We’ve started collating their statements and certain patterns are emerging. They believe that they are serving members of Imperial Fleet, but they don’t see the rebellion the same way the history books do. And their Fleet has significant differences from ours.”
Meyer scanned the prisoners. “How so?”
“In their Fleet, officers occupy a higher social position inside the Empire. Though they live in an Empire, no one we’ve spoken to mentioned anything about an emperor. In this Fleet, officers are people they fear and obey. They fill the enlisted ranks via conscription rather than by looking for volunteers.”
Meyer looked at him sharply. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me that the Old Empire still exists? We thought the rebels exterminated humanity. Are you telling me they enslaved them?”
Jared shrugged. “It’s hard to say if the Old Empire still exists in the way you mean. None of these people refer to themselves as citizens of the Empire. They’re very specific that they are subjects of the Empire. The officers are citizens of the Empire, and so are the political classes. The nobility.
“Graves made sure that he didn’t feed them any information about what we think happened during the rebellion. He asked a lot of questions and let them fill in the blanks. It certainly seems as though none of these people is aware of artificial intelligences running things. Perhaps the upper classes of their society know, but until we can get our one high-ranking prisoner to talk we won’t be sure.”
“Was the procedure to remove the virus from his implants successful?”
“We’ll know in about an hour. I’m hopeful that he’ll talk with Princess Kelsey or myself. And because of the incredible loss of life this battle caused, I have no intention of turning any of the prisoners over to Captain Breckenridge. I’m not certain I trust him with their well-being.”
Meyer frowned. “The laws of war are clear. Captain Breckenridge will not mistreat them.”
“I’m not so certain that I agree with that statement. In any case, I don’t believe that he’ll be as successful as we are at drawing information from these people. Commander Meyer, we desperately need to know what w
e face. Our civilization is small and technologically inferior when compared to what we’re starting to see. If they come for us, we’ll lose. Our only hope is to keep them ignorant of the Empire’s existence until we know enough to survive. You need to help me convince Captain Breckenridge.”
Meyer sighed. “I wish it were that simple. The captain doesn’t change his mind easily. After losing so many people, he’s not going to admit to making any mistakes. Not even to himself. Whatever you do, it needs to take that into account.”
A hatch at the end of the corridor opened and Kelsey stepped through. “There you are, Jared. Breckenridge just called me. He wants to meet with us and get onto the same page. Too many mistakes have been made.”
Jared exchanged a glance with Meyer. “That’s unexpectedly conciliatory. When is he coming over?”
“He’s not. He asked that we meet on Spear. They’re too deeply involved in rescue operations for him to leave the scene of the battle. Come on.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Why not? He’s not going to fight about command of this mission again. That’s settled. We have to start relying on each other or we’ll never get home.”
Jared had his doubts. “I hope you’re right.”
He used his implants to call Graves and direct him to Jared’s office. It was still surreal to do this in his head while those around him were unaware he was even talking to someone else.
Charlie, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. The man hates me.
His exec nodded, responding to the audio from the console. “That he does. Still, his options are limited. He’s not going to do something with the princess right there. Keep things civil and it’ll work itself out.”
I sure hope so. In any case, I have some orders for you. You are not to hand the prisoners over to anyone. They stay in our custody. You’re also to retain possession of the destroyer. Finally, remember that you are not under Captain Breckenridge’s command. We answer to the princess.
Graves looked surprised. “Surely things won’t get that bad.”
I certainly hope not, but we’re going over to his ship. If he’s going to do something rash, this is the perfect time. Let’s call this a contingency plan.
“Aye, sir. I’ll keep things under control.”
Good man. We’ll see you shortly.
He kept his worries to himself as their cutter undocked, but his misgivings grew stronger the closer they got to Spear. He watched her closely through his implants as they approached the battle site.
Spear was following along behind Shadow. The light cruiser tumbled, completely out of control. Her damage was severe. The ship wouldn’t be going anywhere but a repair dock or a scrap yard. He hadn’t heard how many of her crew had died in the attack, but it would be a lot.
The pilot brought the cutter up to the heavy cruiser and docked smoothly. “I’ll be here when you’re ready to go, Captain.”
“Keep the systems ready to depart at a moment’s notice.”
Unlike his last time aboard, Captain Breckenridge was waiting at the dock. He looked worn and angry. “Highness. Commander. Time is short. I’ve taken the liberty of reserving a small conference room on this deck. This way, please.”
Two unarmored marines stood outside the hatch and snapped to attention as they approached. Breckenridge gestured for Kelsey to precede them. “If you’ll take the head of the table, Highness, I’ve prepared an update of the rescue operations.”
Jared started to follow her in, but Breckenridge yanked him back. The hatch slid shut even as Kelsey whirled toward them. He reached for his neural disruptor, but the marines beat him to the draw. They had pistols aimed at his head before he’d touched it.
“What the hell are you doing,” he snarled as Breckenridge took his weapon and handed it to Meyer. “She’s second in line to the Throne.”
“I’m doing what you should’ve done, Commander. I’m protecting her from her own bad judgment. The two of you have managed to kill thousands of Fleet personnel. I will not allow you to endanger the Empire one moment longer. I hereby place you under arrest for gross incompetence and treason.”
“You’re insane. You can’t possibly do anything without the cooperation of Courageous or the Pentagarans.”
The older man smiled. “I’m very resourceful. Marines, take him to a holding cell. I’ll be along directly.”
Chapter Sixteen
Kelsey almost made it to the hatch before it slid shut in her face. She started to bang on it, but stopped. That wouldn’t do any good. She had no leverage and the smooth metal wouldn’t give to brute strength. Even hers.
Breckenridge had trapped her. She had the neural disruptor she’d appropriated from the dead destroyer captain’s safe tucked away in a place they’d be unlikely to search, but she’d have to be very careful. They had Jared.
The marine armorer had been able to reset the lockout on the weapon to her implants with a little trouble. The rebels had made the weapon so that only the person with the correct implants could use it.
It had also been set to lethal levels when she’d checked. That didn’t say very nice things about the woman who’d owned it.
The screen came to life, showing a smiling Captain Breckenridge. “Highness.”
“Have you lost your mind?” she snarled.
“Thankfully, no. I regret to inform you that I have serious concerns about your judgment and stability. I have no choice but to take you into protective custody. Due to your horrific injuries, I must confine you. My apologies.” The last came in a smug tone.
She felt her eyes narrow. “My judgment? My stability? You’d best look to yourself if there is a problem, Captain. Jared and I have made the best calls possible. You? Not so much. How many good men and women lost their lives because of you today?”
Rage clouded his expression. “All because of your incompetent half-brother. His lack of judgment got us into this battle and cost the Empire three ships and almost two thousand people. We should never have been involved in this fight. And from this point forward, we will not be.”
Kelsey raised an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine how you intend to do that. Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but our ships can’t get home. Sooner or later, the rebels will come looking for the ship you destroyed and the one we captured.”
“Let them. We won’t be here. I intend to take our people through the unexplored flip point. We’ll find another way home.”
“And leave the Pentagarans to die? Are you insane?”
“No. I’m pragmatic. Something you try. These are not our people and we should never have been involved in their business. You will call Courageous and instruct them to surrender to my officers.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I will not. In fact, let me make this as clear as I can. I’m ordering you to release us at once and surrender yourself.”
“I’m sorry to see you being so unreasonable, but I’m not surprised. Very well. I can force Mertz into obeying my orders. If I make it clear that your health is dependent on his cooperation, he’ll comply. A ruse, of course.”
She showed him her teeth. “You don’t know the first thing about my brother. He won’t give in to you. No matter how this plays out, you’re ruined. You must know that.”
“We’ll see. I’ve taken the precaution of putting bedding, food, and a portable toilet to the rear of the conference room. You’ll be staying there for the foreseeable future. I’m not foolhardy enough to risk letting you out. We’ll speak again soon.”
He stepped aside and she saw Commander Meyer standing behind Breckenridge. She gave him a pleading look. “Commander Meyer, please. Explain this to him. You can’t let him do this.”
“You have no idea how resolute the captain is, Highness,” Meyer said with a wooden expression. “Once he makes up his mind, there’s no altering his course. Nothing I say will change this situation.”
Breckenridge smiled and clapped the other man on the should
er. “See? He knows me so well. This is what a good executive officer is like. Loyal to a fault. We’ll speak again soon, Highness.”
The screen went dark.
Kelsey used some of the choicest phrases she’d picked up from Talbot and the marines. Dammit. How was she going to get them out of this?
She beat on the hatch, but it didn’t give. There were no other exits and her weapon wouldn’t go through a bulkhead.
If she’d brought one of the marine knives, she could have conceivably cut her way through the bulkhead. It would have taken a while and they would no doubt have stopped her, but they’d have had to open the hatch to do it.
That was the first thing she needed to do. Get the hatch open. If she could manage that, escape became at least conceivable.
Fifteen minutes of pacing left her as uninspired as she started.
She whirled toward the hatch when it slid unexpectedly open. Commander Meyer stood outside. The two marine guards had their weapons out and pointed at her midsection. The tall officer stared at her haughtily. “Back against the bulkhead, Highness.”
She considered the odds. Panther, the Old Empire combat drug combination, boosted her reaction time and she might be able to take them before they killed her. Maybe.
The marines advanced. Once they were inside Meyer shot them in the backs with Jared’s neural disruptor. They collapsed.
“This is an amazing weapon. Come on, Highness. It won’t be long before someone finds out you’ve escaped. We have to get you off this ship right now.”
“We need to capture this ship. Order your people to stand down.”
He shook his head. “That won’t work. The captain has too many loyal people for me to take him down and if it comes to my order against his, I’ll lose. He’s made his stand. Imagine your brother’s crew supporting Graves against him. Not going to happen. We have less than ten minutes to get you off this ship or you’re not leaving. Captain Breckenridge has gone too far to back down now.”
She looked at the stunned marines on the deck. “So have you.”
