In other words, enough time for everyone to act, and still send replies to Aktip if needed.
And before we reach Takao.
My heart pounds. Has someone stolen the Constellation from under our noses?
My Rykkan friend’s face comes to life and she begins to speak. “Madam Captain, please excuse my intrusion. To reduce any immediate concerns, I must inform you that the Constellation’s journey proceeds as planned. We will arrive at Takao exactly as predicted. The engineers’ plans have performed as they suggested they would”—this is Aktip’s code for letting me know that she has picked up no lies or deceit with her senses—“and the hyperDrives are functioning well.” She pauses. I sense the “but” coming.
“You also allocated me a task. I must now report that something unexpected has been discovered. Please to be accepting the transmitted file. I will assume you take approximately three minutes to comprehend the communication.”
A small orange icon flashes at me from the holo. A file—also encrypted. It’s unlike Aktip to beat around the bush, and I sense she is deliberately withholding information. Is she concerned about being overheard?
The file opens. It is a video file, with dataslides and Aktip’s voice-over.
“Madam Captain, while investigating the comms history of the Constellation as you requested, I encountered an unusual quarantined section for transmissions. Since I am unable to use full Captain’s access, I attempted to gain unauthorized entry.”
I wonder why transmissions have caught Aktip’s attention enough to provoke an emergency. After four years lost in space and cut adrift, any transmissions will be well beyond their use-by-date.
Aktip looks uncomfortable—probably because she’s having to use my old hacking tricks to “gain unauthorized entry.”
The dataslides move to the next view and I am watching a close up metatag of an incoming data packet. Aktip continues. “Please to see the datestamp.” I peer in while she talks. I suck in a breath involuntarily and then zoom the holo in to confirm. I hear Danielli and Plexi next to me both let out a low whistle.
The date is yesterday’s, shown in galactic standard notation. Around nineteen hours ago in fact. But who is transmitting from the ship? Then the next slide switches into view and I see the datapacket was inbound. Inbound? Who knew where the Constellation was located, and how to send data back to base? Who knew that the hobbled ship would even receive the data?
“As you see, this is incoming information. I do not think anyone else is able to intercept nor read this data, it was encrypted to Captain’s level, but not requiring the secondary authority. Now to please assimilate the accompanying data.” She switches the screen across and sets it to scroll.
DS DRONE FIFTEEN: SECTOR TWENTY-FIVE OH NINE
ACTIVITY THRESHOLD TRIGGERED: LEVEL 4, FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSMISSION
ACTIVITY DETAILS: LARGE MASS, POWERED SPACEFLIGHT VEHICLES, MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE
WEAPON FINGERPRINT: CONFIRMED TO LEVEL SIX
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL: TO SECTOR FRINGE
CURRENT ACTIVITY: STATIONARY IN MILITARY FORMATION
IDENTITY OF VEHICLES: UNKNOWN. DATA EXTRAPOLATION INDICATES 87% LIKELIHOOD BLOOD EMPIRE.
The screen flicks back to Aktip. “Madam Captain, please advise if action required.”
The holo switches off.
I can feel my neck and shoulders tense and try to roll them looser. It doesn’t work. “First impressions?” I look to Danielli and Plexi.
Danielli speaks first. “Let’s look at what we know, Ma’am. Someone, or some group has dispatched up to fifteen or more drones to monitor outposts. The data has been sent back to what they presumably knew was a disabled ship, where only the Captain”—he shoots me a knowing look—“would be in a position to receive the reports. They—and their drones—were also able to track the Constellation’s position in space. All of which is interesting—”
“Until you get to the part about the Blood Empire assembling forces at the Sector’s fringe.”
“Indeed. Assuming all this is true.”
“Who would fabricate such a thing? That’s some elaborate hoax.”
“We really need access to that helmroom,” Plexi says.
“You think we’d know more?”
“Sure,” she says. “Otherwise why restrict access? Maybe we should ask the Scorpion for help? Seems like she has some pretty serious tech at her disposal.”
I mull that over for a while. No doubt the Scorpion could help ... but someone has gone to a lot of trouble to keep this under wraps. “I trust the Scorpion on this, but it’s not like we go back a long way. It’s all new ground, and not something I’d want to make a Sector-sized error with.”
Danielli frowns. “Surely it’s in all our interests to be warned of a Blood Empire play on the Sector?”
I purse my lips. “You’d think so. But then why quarantine the drone’s data back to the Constellation? Why not broadcast it to all regions?”
Plexi looks excited. “Because whoever set it up wanted it to only fall into one person’s hands.”
“Who?” I am perplexed.
Danielli looks at me strangely. “Ma’am, if you haven’t worked that out yet, I’m beginning to wonder if we have the right ‘Captain.’”
It sinks in. “Oh,” I say. “Oh.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
My entry into Takao for the second time is considerably different. The Scorpion’s scoutcruiser arrives into orbit hours after mine, but I’m already cleared for descent; the Scorpion is clearly relaying orders ahead of us.
Our ships descend out of orbit together, to a private complex of military landing pads. A bulbous, low-slung and blacked-out shuttlepod exits a sleek alloy-clad building nearby. The pod first locks on to the Scorpion’s ship, then disengages and hovers over to collect us. Mitch is transferred separately by medhover.
“Amazing that she has kept this under cover for so long,” Danielli observes while we wait.
“I’m pretty sure it’s on the penalty of death if anyone finds out,” I say, casting Danielli a meaningful look. He responds with a wry smile.
Soon we are in the pod and transported into the building. The Scorpion falls in with a nondescript crew: just another security detail on their way about the gleaming corridors. We ascend to the top floor and enter a massive war room. On one side there is a panoramic window overlooking the pads. I see my ship next to the Scorpion’s and several other powerful-looking fightships, armed, and by the look of the officials milling around, on standby.
The war room is dominated by a huge circular table, sufficient to sit thirty, and with a hollow center. I count eighteen high-ranking officials already seated, all of whom look at me as I lead my own ragtag crew to some empty seats. I can’t help but hear a few unkind words muttered about Rykkans.
I’m relieved I’ve maintained my dyed black hair and braid. No point in advertising myself indelibly. Someone might connect some dots that should remain unattached.
We take our seats, and it is at that point I realize the Scorpion has not followed us in. From the table’s center, a holo springs to life, and I now see the male silhouette of “the Scorpion” and hear the familiar digitally-generated voice announce his presence.
“Good afternoon. May I introduce Captain India Jackson and some of her crew. Captain Jackson is the owner of the lightCruiser Slingshot and the salvage operator who discovered the location of the Constellation. The Captain has also proved to be a helpful collaborator and now partner in our initiatives against the Jovians and the prevention of the Jovian domination of energy trade. She was able to hack into the Constellation and disable defenses left onboard that no other salvage operator has successfully bypassed. I am also disappointed to inform you that our trading partner Sloper, has been double-crossing us, and is now under imprisonment. Sloper kidnapped Captain Jackson’s brother and held him on Takao without my knowledge, and was trying to blackmail Captain Jackson to deliver the Constellation to him.”
The silhouette pauses, and I catch Danielli surreptitiously scrutinizing one of the Scorpion’s senior uniformed advisers across the table. I’m sure I’ve seen his face before. I make a mental note to ask Danielli about it after the meeting.
The Scorpion resumes.
“I have already briefed you all on this on my return to Takao, and repeat myself here for the benefit of the Captain and her crew. More important is that Captain Jackson has agreed for Takao to be the safe haven for the anchoring of the Constellation. In return for some trade agreements.”
Everyone stirs at the latter announcement. Except the man Danielli was checking out, who instead regards me with a hard expression. I realize where I’ve seen his face before: on the stadium’s large holoscreen. Is he one of Sloper’s allies?
“These trade agreements will be made public shortly, and need not concern you strategically, with the exception of the fact that Captain Jackson has been instrumental in securing the support of Rykkamon, and the removal of all Rykkan mercenaries from Takao.”
Now I have everyone’s attention.
“Meaning we are now in a superior position of defense against the Jovians. For tactical discussion, I will handover to Admiral Simpson to brief us on our revised plans.” The silhouette in the center dims in anticipation.
Admiral Simpson turns out to be the man with the hard face. Of course. He clears his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen.” He acknowledges me and Plexi as he says the words. “We find the balance of power is now shifted. You are all aware that Captain Jackson has also located the Constellation’s stolen drive in the possession of the Jovians.”
“Errikson, strictly speaking,” I correct him, which doesn’t appear to amuse the man. “And we don’t know that the drive was technically stolen, at least not initially.”
The lean-faced Admiral eyes me. “Do elaborate.”
I muse on how much to share and catch Danielli’s eye. His expression seems to suggest, “proceed with caution.” Good advice, I think. “The Constellation’s drive, as I’m sure you already know from your leader’s advance reports, was removed with a technical precision unknown to us. According to Errikson, he obtained the mechanism and plans for this operation from an unnamed party, and built oversized lasercutters for this single purpose. The drive may not have been stolen at all. Though I will agree, its possession by the Jovians is as good as if it were stolen. Perhaps whoever encouraged Errikson to remove the drive didn’t expect him to shack up with the Jovian mafia. They’ve never made good bedmates in the past.”
The Admiral nods slowly. “And why do you think the Jovians want the drive?”
I smile at him. “Isn’t that obvious? Between you and the Jovians, there is the potential to refit the ship and own the most powerful battlecruiser known to mankind—and Rykkankind.”
I glance sideways at the Chief with sudden realization that aside from my own crew, the only person here I am willing to trust is the Rykkan Chief. My life seems ruled by irony. “I imagine they’ll be keen to get their hands on the Constellation once they know it’s moored at Takao.” But since Errikson showed no desire to capture the ship itself, I know full well that what the mafia are really after resides in the drive.
“Then we should preempt their interest, and make our own crystal clear.” The Admiral looks around the table. “Any objections, or are we all in agreement our ultimate tactical plan is to strike at the Jovians and recover the drive?”
Seventeen hands go up and seventeen “Aye”s make the answer obvious.
“Then we reconvene in one hour. I will discuss our timeframe and resources with the Scorpion. On your return, please advise current deployment, and your proposed tactics for recovering the drive.” He looks at me. “Thank you for your time, Captain Jackson. My men will assist you in completing the trade treaty. You are free to travel around Takao as you see fit.” He smiles, but his eyes do not. “I will ensure the safety of your crew. Take in the sights before you leave.”
And I am dismissed. Just like that.
We depart with everyone else and soon find ourselves in a hospitality area, awaiting our escort. I head over to the Rykkan Chief, who has one hand and claw on the metal barrier under the plexiglass viewing window and is looking out over the landing pads. Surveying his new domain perhaps.
I get his attention. “Who was telling the truth?”
The Chief looks at me and bares his red grin. “No one. Not even you.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Our escort arrives—two less-than communicative soldiers—and to my shock, Danielli asks them to take us to the best local eatery in Hoto. He notices me looking at him and when he sees the two soldiers are not paying any attention, he gives his head a micro shake, asking me not to question his decision. I acknowledge his gesture by rubbing my stomach. “Nice idea. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten something that wasn’t dried last century, or quenched my thirst with a liquid of questionable origin.”
One of our escorts interjects. “Sorry Ma’am. This one”—he points to the Chief—“won’t be welcome in the restaurant.”
I stop and confront the guy. “Then I suggest you request the Scorpion calls ahead and makes his request known. Rykkans are about to become Takao’s new ally. Maybe this can be the very beginning of a beautiful new friendship, and what better place to strut it than where it will be noticed. Understand?”
The soldier swallows. “Yes, Captain.” He jerks his head to his companion, who moves off to a nearby commPanel.
I start walking again and take Danielli by the elbow. “Danielli. You seem to have some idea of Takaon cuisine. I’m sure we can squeeze in a gourmet experience or two before we leave.”
He laughs and we walk on, sweeping in Plexi and leaving an obviously confused Rykkan Chief in our wake. He’ll have difficulty sensing who is telling any truths right now.
Twenty minutes later, our arrival causes quite a stir, and the maitre d’ quickly shepherds us to a private suite in the back. I was banking on it, and judging by the look on the Chief’s face, he is relieved. Street-smart though he is, he probably doesn’t want to have to justify all the bad deeds committed by his race against the very people in the restaurant. It still doesn’t stop all of us pausing mid-forkful when we hear a loud argument break out in the main restaurant. The word “spinhead” is clearly mentioned more than a few times. News travels fast, no matter the planet.
Our escorts left, presumably ordered to leave us alone during dinner, though I’m certain they’ll reappear to make sure we “sight-see” appropriately. But that’s not in my game plan. For now, I’m curious as to what Danielli’s intent is, and I use a natural break in the serving of the garish blue and purple, but delicious food, to beckon Danielli closer.
All four of us lean in across the table.
“Admiral Simpson is General Garnek,” Danielli says softly.
Danielli’s bombshell stuns us all into silence. Even Plexi has nothing. This time it’s me who is first to respond, albeit with a stupid question. I’m still in shock.
“Are you sure? It’s not just a coincidental resemblance?”
Danielli shakes his head. “I’d know him anywhere. Small scar here.” He points just behind his right ear.
“Does he know you?”
“No. I never saw him in person. Only in speeches.”
“Wait. You worked for the Sector Marines?”
He hints at a smile, then it drops away. “Long story. Almost served on the Constellation.”
Plexi’s eyebrows shoot up. Evidently he kept that one close to his chest.
“It certainly explains why the Scorpion was so well-informed about the Constellation’s design—but if he gets wind that I have ... a certain status, then we could find ourselves”—I want to say myself, but cannot avoid dragging my crew into this—“in more trouble. Now we really can’t afford for them to possess the drive. With control of both that and my access ...”
The rest is left unsaid. The Scorpion might find a way to force me to
run the Constellation, and use Garnek’s treason to force the Sector to its knees. I stand up abruptly, forgetting the low gravity, and inadvertently leap to the ceiling and back. “Mitch! We have to get him back to our ship before the Scorpion uses him as leverage.” My poor brother, reduced yet again to a pawn in an intra-galactic power play.
Danielli nods. “Agreed. But what will you do about their plan? Go AWOL? With no, ah ... person of authorized status available to them, they’ll find it hard to do anything.”
“But perhaps not impossible. No, what we need to do is to join them, and help them get the drive from the Jovians.”
Plexi groans. “I was afraid you were going to say that. But how will we do that?”
I feel my jaw tighten. “I’ll tell the Scorpion exactly why the Jovians want the drive ... and me.”
Plexi’s eyes narrow. “Which is?”
“You’ll have to wait while I make up a plausible answer,” I say.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
I lead us out of the restaurant, ignoring the “spinhead” commentary coming from tables filled with tall, lean Takaons. I stand outside. And wait.
I don’t have to wait long. Our two escorts draw in from their observation positions.
“Ready to board ship, Ma’am?” the lead uniform says.
“Take me to the Scorpion. Captain’s orders. Immediately.” I stand with my arms crossed.
The grunt doesn’t compute at first. “I ... sorry, Ma’am, my orders are to—hey!” Danielli is behind him with the kid’s head in an armlock. I smile. The other escort is momentarily stumped by the unfolding action, but doesn’t even get his weapon raised before Plexi has liberated it from his hands and stands next to him, the laserpistol aimed at his groin.
Constellation (Blood Empire Book 1) Page 18
