by Ryan Krauter
"Hell of an afternoon, eh?" she said as he grabbed her hand from the seat next to hers.
"Could be worse," he replied. "I could still have no idea where you were and if you were alive. Even being in a position of impending doom is better with you around."
"You're such a smoothie." She leaned over and planted a quick kiss on him, grimacing as her injured side gave her a brief pain flare-up.
"You won't be saying that after I tell you the news." He pointed to a series of displays in between their stations. "Coolant temps are on the rise, core temps are falling, and the main computer has gone into some sort of diagnostic safe mode. Best guess is that in about a half hour, we won't be able to maintain a hyperdrive field and we'll end up stranded in realspace. Priman charts are a bit scarce in this area, and to be honest I don't think there's much out here anyway."
"Ideas?"
"Only one. We call our Fixer pal Garrett. I still wouldn't trust a comm link into Confed after what you told me earlier; we're evil, subversive terrorists so we can't use anything connected to our normal logistics chain. I figure he could tell us where to look for a repair depot, transportation help; hell, maybe a whole new ship."
"We could try contacting Admiral Bak. I have some back channels I can use."
"Well hell, let's do that, too. Between the two of them, we have to find a way to get this ship of fools back onto Delos."
Halley didn't bother hiding her smile. "Ok, but first we need to tell these people why we're keeping them stuffed in a cargo hold like livestock." She stood up and held out her hand. "Come on; you're going with me for emotional support."
They left the bridge and walked the dozen steps through a crew jumpseat area and the rear hatch. They were on the upper of the two decks of the ship, which had been fitted as a troop transport. There were two aisles down the passenger area much like a widebody civilian transport. At the middle of the passenger cabin was a large opening through to the lower deck. It was equipped with a hatch, but had been open when Halley acquired the ship and she hadn't seen a reason to close it. As a cargo transport, this allowed items to be moved between decks while in transit. Halley and Web walked down the aisle and took up station at the railing. There, hands on the rail and speaking in her crowd control voice, Halley began.
"Senators of the Confederation. My name is Lieutenant Halley Pascal. Standing with me is Commander Web Exeter, of the CSS Avenger. We are the ones who were in charge of the raid to break you out. You no doubt want and definitely deserve a briefing on what's been going on. Trust me when I tell you it's been a hell of a couple years. I'll try to make this quick, because we'll need to get back up front soon in order to work on the next part of the plan."
There was a stirring among the passengers, though to their credit they patiently waited for what came next.
"First, a quick recap." Halley took a deep breath. "After you were abducted, the Primans scored a lot of victories. The Talaran Collection has fairly dissolved; their government was also attacked but didn't recover like ours did. The Primans were working with the Enkarrans; they eventually turned on the Enkarrans and claimed their entire empire as their own, casting the Enkarrans out much like what was done to them over a thousand years ago.
"For those of you that don't know yet, the Primans came from this galaxy. A hundred thousand years ago, they sailed through and gave a helping hand to dozens of species in this part of space. Short version: they got power hungry, wanted to rule everything, and there was a war. A very, very big war. The Primans lost and were banished beyond the galaxy in their motherships. A thousand years later, they came back and started up Round Two.
"We've been fighting them ever since, going on three years now. We have a bit of a stalemate right now; they've take a decent chunk of Confed space, but that dovetails into the next problem.
"One senator escaped capture. His name was Zek Dennix." At this, Halley had to pause. People started talking. She heard both good and bad comments around her, and gave it a second before continuing. "We didn't know it at the time, but Senator Dennix had been turned by the Primans." This time, there was no stopping the senators. Some cried out that he was a traitor, some yelled back that it just couldn't be true.
"Please," she yelled, "I need to continue." She waited a minute and everyone calmed down enough to press on. "Working for the Primans, he declared himself head of an emergency Governing Committee. He managed to get friends, yes-men, and people who owed him favors elected to fill all of your places. Senators: you have been replaced during emergency votes. You were considered lost or dead and so your seats had to be filled. Unfortunately, your successors found their ways into office less because of their ideals and more because of their allegiance to Senator Dennix.
"Now, he rules the Confederation. He's given parts to the Primans and brokered a deal to stay in charge. This led to a civil war; more than a third of the Confederation no longer recognizes Delos and Senator Dennix. There have been battles; not many, but our forces are divided and fight each other more than they fight the Primans."
Halley couldn't talk above the din now. Rigged elections, a compromised Senate and civil war were too much to take without some sort of reaction. People yelled now, emotions flared as people started making accusations. Some even called out to Halley, accusing the military of encouraging the conflict or simply letting it happen.
Web could see her hands grip the railing tighter at that, her knuckles go white with strain. If there was anyone more committed to restoring Confed than Halley, Web didn't know who it could be.
"Listen up!" she yelled, her sharp voice and something in her tone commanding quick silence. "My orders as a SAR operative are vague, and necessarily so. My mission is to make life difficult for the Primans. So, I thought it would just be a swell idea if we could drag all of you properly elected officials back to Delos. You march right into the halls of government, demand an accounting of what's been going on, and clean up this mess. You kick out the impostors, restore government and order, reunite our scattered forces, and annihilate the Primans like the infestation they are. Can you do that?"
Again, a chorus of voices rose, each one louder than the next. As the first round of comments died down, Web heard a measured voice from near them. It was Senator Thyatt.
"You say it like it's going to be a problem."
"Perceptive, Senator," Web replied. "Senator Dennix has taken steps to block anyone from shining the light on what's been going on. Our ship, Avenger, has been declared AWOL and convicted of treason. Communications have been locked down, even among Confed ships. Not only can we not tell anybody we've rescued you, but if we just go sailing into Confed space there is a good chance we'd be destroyed or imprisoned by Confed forces."
"So what do we do?" asked Thyatt.
"We know a guy," Web and Halley said in unison.
Velk took a half hour to tell his story start to finish. He began with his early removal as Commander, something that was by itself not an indicator of anything ominous.
The problem was that he believed it was orchestrated by Representative Tash in order to get control early. Once he was Commander, Tash consolidated power and even Velk could determine at the time that he was trying to build alliances among the Council.
Banished to the outskirts of Priman territory, he was captured by Loren and his team, to which Velk admitted it was a daring and brave raid which Loren could be commended on.
Back in Confed space, Velk then related to Ravine the assassination attempt on him, conducted by a Priman commando team with the apparent sanction of the military and by extension the Commander, Tash. Ravine was taken aback by this and asked Velk to repeat. Yes, Primans attempted to take his life. Loren was there also during the attempt and simply nodded when Ravine asked him if Velk's story was indeed true.
Velk learned some things from Admiral Bak and the Fixer Garrett Drayven while under house arrest. He came to believe that outright annihilation of each other was no longer the way this had to end. Unfortunat
ely, after a deal was made and he was underway to meet with Ravine after being released to Loren's care, he was again attacked by Priman forces, this time while aboard the ship commanded by Representative Ravine's own father. He also offered up a copy of the ring data Halley had sent Loren, acquired from a Priman facility, a log of the information Senator Dennix's Priman-made data logging ring had been recording since he took it off the hand of his first Priman handler in the early days of the war. It didn't offer an incredible insight into Velk's case, but it did review Dennix's dealings with the Primans, some of which were against the council's doctrine and were very likely not officially sanctioned. The under-the-table nature of the dealings with Dennix were support for Velk's case that his government was becoming entirely too much like the corrupt beings they claimed they were superior to.
Ravine slumped back in her chair as Velk finished his story. Her face was a mix of emotions. Loren knew that look and felt for her. Everything she thought she knew about her people and role was now in question, if she were to believe Velk.
Finally, after several minutes of silence, she turned to Loren.
"And that brings us to you, Commander Stone." She interlaced her fingers and placed her hands on the table in front of her, giving Loren her undivided attention. "Tell me: why are you here?"
Loren only had to think for a second before responding. "Like the Representative here, I believe we can end this conflict without any more deaths. There has to be a way. I don't say that because I'm afraid of fighting or dying, and I know my people will resist to the end if that's what we need to do. But I also think that's not necessary. So here I am, switching roles from Representative Velk's captor to your prisoner."
"With your government in disarray, who has authorized you to negotiate?"
Loren chuckled. "A very good question, Representative. As we've just discussed, I believe both our governments are compromised. Mine for sure, of course. It's even led to a civil war. We'll get our house in order, though, and in the meantime the Admiralty has sent me here to try and open a dialogue. I'm not going to be able to sign any treaties, but the point is that we're ready to talk."
"You admit your own ship has been branded traitors by Delos and your Senator Dennix?"
"A minor detail in the grand scheme of things."
"And that you are not allied with the breakaway systems, the Independents or Secessionists, whatever you call them?"
"Yup; right on that as well."
"So, once again, who do you negotiate for?"
Loren now leaned forward over the table, mimicking Ravine's stance. "I represent the majority of the fighting ships of the Confederation Navy, as ordered by Admiral Nodam Bak. And I guarantee that if we can put something together that ends this conflict, we'll receive the full support of the independent systems as well. We will reunite and take back Delos and our government. We're not a military junta, Representative, but we will help those that want to restore our government get that done. And we will answer to them like we've always done. Representative, I am here on behalf of the men and women of the Confederation that, like you, believe there is more to life than just nonstop war. Yes, sometimes it's necessary, justified even. But this one doesn't have to go on any longer. Can I ask you a question?"
Ravine inclined her head, which Loren took for a yes.
"As an alternative to destroying half of this galaxy and struggling to hold onto the rest, which history shows us you yourselves tried and ultimately failed at, what would you and your people be happy with? Is it territory you want? I assume you want a new place to call home. Is it a seat at the table, so to speak? We have galactic conferences every couple years where everyone gets together and tries to remember how to get along. It's a good time, actually; I've been to two of them on behalf of Confed and it's a hell of a thing. So what will make you happy short of galactic domination?"
Ravine looked at Velk, then back to Loren. Still, she said nothing, though Loren could see the gears turning. "Perhaps we should ask the Council?" she finally said. "And we will need to invite the Commander, of course. Perhaps we will even get a chance to ask him about some of the things you spoke of, Representative Velk."
Loren couldn't have asked for anything more.
Web waited for the connection to stabilize, then was rewarded with the face of Garrett Drayven. They'd politely asked Senator Thyatt to vacate the flight deck since their relationship with Garrett needed to stay a closely guarded secret.
"Commander Exeter, so good to see you," Garrett began with what looked like a genuine smile. "And I see your partner in crime Ms. Pascal there as well."
"You don't remember my rank?" she asked with a smirk.
"Well, your rank was about to go up until the unfortunate incident where you were all branded traitors, of course," he replied with a straight face as he noticed Halley trying to keep any surprise from showing on her own. "I probably shouldn't even be taking this call; it could jeopardize my record as an upstanding citizen."
Web only chuckled. "So I take it things are going well for you?"
"They certainly are. I must admit to missing my former houseguest, actually. He had some great insights into galactic matters and had an extensive knowledge of galactic history, a sort of hobby of my own. Hopefully we can share company again some time. Does this have anything to do with him? Or my bill to Confed, perhaps, for services rendered?"
"In a way, yes. I'll just put it all on the table here. We're at a location, near Spacelane Alpha seven in the Proteus sector."
"As far as I recall, not much to work with there. In fact, sort of a den of thieves at present. So close to the front lines it's become a haven for disreputable types. The spacelane is still patrolled by the independent Confed forces, I believe. What brings you to that scenic corner of space?"
"A breakdown. Our ship is toast, to put it lightly. We need repairs, maybe a new vessel entirely. Any suggestions?"
Garrett chewed on his inner lip for a second while running through options. "Not many, I'm afraid. And the prices will be steep. What do you have to bargain with?"
"A captured Priman transport."
Garrett's eyes lit up. "Ahh, now we have something." He paused, then took a long breath in and out. "There is a woman around there; Beka Dalgas. She runs what is essentially a used ship dealer for criminals-"
"Where can we find her?" Halley asked.
"Hang on there, killer," Garrett cautioned Halley. "She's actually a fairly horrible person. I was about to say I wouldn't trust her with Senator Dennix's ship, much less my own. She will most likely try to rip you off, quite possibly try to kill you and just take your ship afterwards."
"How does anyone like that stay in business?" asked Web doubtfully.
"You need an insurance policy," Garrett continued. "She has to know you have something worth more than what is on you, and that whatever it is can cause her harm later. She'll cut you a good enough deal, especially considering the ship you have to trade in. But you can only deal from a position of strength. And make sure that whatever you come up with as a backup plan is workable and will leave a mark if you use it."
After the connection was severed, Halley looked at Web. "Well, I don't see a lot of options. Best thought is that we bluff Confed backup and I hide out and play the ace in the hole."
"That's all fine and whatnot," Web replied, "but look at you. You're limping from that old blaster hit you took. You admitted in prison that your nanites were about torched, so you don't have that up your sleeve any more. Not that I doubt you ass-kicking abilities, dear, but we've both seen better days."
"Hey, I haven't blown up anything in over six hours. I'm ready for the next round. Just make the call and act tough."
"Think we have anyone back in the cargo bin that knows the Proteus sector?"
"Good call," Halley admitted. "I'll go see if anyone volunteers while you get a line on that woman's contact info."
A few minutes later Halley returned with an older man. His original clothes must have
worn out or been confiscated, because he wore one of the plain jumpsuits that many of the prisoners had been dressed in. However, he still wore his tunic over the top, a jacket style design that had seen better days and looked somewhat silly over the top of a drab white one piece garment.
"I am Senator Navi," he announced as Web stood to greet him.
"Hello, Senator. I'm Web Exeter. We're stuck in your corner of space, it seems, and could use a little help."
The senator sat down in the copilot's chair, Halley frowning at him as she stepped back to the nav jumpseat.
"I will be negotiating for you?" he asked.
"Actually, I don't think we'll need that," Web replied slowly. "We're dealing with a criminal here, so I doubt she'd care that you were a senator. What we need is any background you have on the criminal element out here that she's a part of. We're talking about Beka Dalgas, a ship broker and overall rotten life form."
"You assume I have some sort of relation with a criminal element?" he asked, indignant look on his face. Web couldn't tell if it was real or forced.
"No; that's why I said you didn't need to negotiate. I am assuming that, as Senator of this sector, you have some basic knowledge of the goings-on. A high level criminal like her must ring a few bells to you, so I'm hoping you can cough up some information that might help us. And to be frank, right now I don't care if you signed her death warrant or send her invites to your dinner parties; we just need anything at all we can use to live long enough to get us all back to Confed space. So, Senator, can you help us?"
Halley smiled. Web had become a very worthy operative. Great companion, too. Life was funny that way.
The Priman transport coasted through empty space, the only other object of note within detection range an old Galactic Data Network relay satellite. It had long since been disconnected from the net, but still it maintained its position, sentry over a vast nothing in the space between solar systems.
