“You have your orders, soldier,” I say. “Besides. When the Scorpion and Admiral Simpson hear what I have to say, you might even earn a little bonus. I mean, didn’t we tell you the nature of our confidential business and you insisted on taking us back to HQ? If you get my drift.”
The soldier nods in Danielli’s armlock, and Danielli eases off. Plexi pushes the other forward, and he holds out his hand to receive his weapon back. Plexi just gives him her pixie grin and motions with his own weapon for him to start walking to the nearest hoverstop.
In minutes we are in front of a commPanel at the base’s security hut, and in discussion with the Scorpion’s silhouette. After a few veiled references to make my case, the silhouette directs us to meet back in the war room.
This time the Scorpion is present in the flesh with only the Admiral by her side. We move in to sit alongside them at the massive round table, stark in its emptiness. I look at the Scorpion and flick my eyes at Simpson.
She nods. “He knows. One of the two. You may speak plainly here. You said you have classified information. Why did you not reveal this earlier?”
“A good strategist never plays all her cards when only one is needed,” I say.
“So what’s changed?”
I look around the empty room. “I don’t see my brother here yet?”
The Scorpion smiles. “Fair enough.” She reaches forward and taps an icon on the table’s holo. “Bring the boy in.”
The door slides open and Mitch enters. He is clad in archetypal yellow Takaon robes, freshly shaved, and looking in the best of health. He looks at me. “Sis. Needed the big gun here?”
I laugh. “You look more like a guru from SpiritCity. But you need to hear this, too. We’re all involved, whether we like it or not.” I want to add, “And you started it when you stole back Papa’s laserSword,” but I don’t.
“When do you intend to let us in on your secret?” Simpson is put out. Good.
I lean forward on the table. “We need to get the drive from the Jovians.”
Simpson says nothing. Just stares.
“You’re stating the obvious,” the Scorpion says, but she has that slight trace of a smile. Meaning, “I believe you have something here.”
“You are prepared to take it by force. With or without my help.”
“Please,” Simpson says. “This is not military school. State your point.”
I engage him with a smile. “Suppose I tell you they don’t want the drive. They might even give it to you, if you ask nicely.”
“Pah!” Admiral Simpson is not a patient man, but the Scorpion lays her hand on his arm.
“Wait, John. This kid is not stupid. She single-handedly resolved our Resistance problem. She hacked the Constellation and she allowed me to bring it here. She knows the Jovians are dangerous. Hear her out.”
I smile briefly at the Scorpion and continue. “Here’s what I know. The Jovians want access to what is in the drive. Not the drive itself. From what I can tell, Errikson was about ready to discard it after he’d retrieved its data. And there’s only one reason why anyone would give up a chance of ownership of the Constellation.”
“If the alternative was even more powerful.” Simpson looks thoughtful. My opinion of the man is in flux. He’s complex, and I must be careful.
“Yes. What do the Jovian mafia worship the most?”
“Control of the Sector energy markets. That one’s easy. We’ve been at the sharp end of that for decades.” The Scorpion runs a finger over her lips absently. “So Errikson has been employed to mine the drive for the data, which presumably gives them some leverage over energy supply.”
I nod. “That’s my deduction. I saw it with my own eyes at Ganymede’s stations. Errikson was almost blasé about the drive.”
Her brow creases. She looks at Simpson, who shrugs, folds his arms and says, “If the Jovians gain control over the Sector’s energy supplies, we may as well surrender now. Not only that, the Sector will fall into civil chaos—”
“And if Oberon learns of it, we’ll be sitting ducks.” The Scorpion’s face is grim.
I’ve never heard the term before, but the meaning is obvious. What is more telling is the look Simpson gives me when the Scorpion mentions Oberon. Does he know more than he’s letting on? Danielli’s intense concentration on the Admiral is palpable.
“Wait.” The Scorpion is still thinking, and has her finger in the air. “If the information in the drive is more important to the Jovians than the drive itself, and clearly Errikson hasn’t given it to them yet, what’s stopping him?”
I take a deep breath. “He can’t access it. Can’t even hack into it.”
She studies me closely. “Are you telling me what I think you are telling me?”
“That’s right. He needs me. Or, as it turns out”—I shoot a glance at my brother—“me and Mitch.” I see him startle momentarily. “Which is why I’m going to help you steal it back.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
We are back in my lightCruiser, and we assemble informally in the mess. Simpson and the Scorpion agreed to put my plan to the rest of the war committee. All we can do is wait. The Scorpion offered me the use of the base’s hospitality area, but I declined, pleading the need for a familiar space.
What I really want is a meeting with my crew.
“The Constellation will be here in a few hours.” Danielli looks up from the navpanel.
“At the moment, all I need from the ship is Aktip and the rest of our crew,” I say.
“I miss Herg,” Plexi says in mock mourning. I smile to myself at our attempt to make light of things. A very human trait, as Aktip might observe. Plexi looks over at Mitch. “You’ll like Herg. He has a way with words.”
“The ones he remembers.” Danielli stands up. “Sorry, Ma’am. I hate waiting. There’s a job for us to do and only politics in the way.”
“Welcome to our new world. So let’s use the time to our advantage.” Which is what I need: for Danielli and his team to be tightly focused. I need to lead with conviction for my plan to work.
“I’ve been thinking.”
Plexi looks up. “Seems to me that’s one of our assets.”
“Don’t speak too soon. You might not like my next thought.”
“Which is?” Danielli raises an eyebrow. He is more casual now. I’ve earned his respect and he trusts me as a peer, dropping his official veneer.
“The last time Oberon was defeated, there was only one reason for our win.”
“Even I know that,” Mitch says, giving me a look. “The Constellation and General Garnek. That’s what won that war. So what are you saying? That now we need the Constellation and Captain India Jackson?”
“You catch on quick. Despite your old age.”
He rolls his eyes. “So now you’re going to tell us that your next thought is to refit the Constellation and go kick Oberon’s ass.”
I smile. “I’m so glad you’re on my team. When we all think the same way—”
“Wait—you’re serious?” Plexi is passing a look between us. “This is not some sis-bro teasing?”
Mitch looks over at Plexi and sits back on the edge of the mess’s table. “Sadly, no. She’s always had a lust for power.”
I kick Mitch and the Takaon gravity nudges him away from the table. He scowls.
“Seriously now. The last time the Blood Empire took on the Sector, the Constellation was our last line of defense. We need that drive.”
“So does everyone else, apparently.” Mitch is still mad.
I shake my head. “No. Actually the Jovians don’t want it.”
“But even if we just pick it up from the Jovians, hide it from the Scorpion, sneak the drive back into the ship without anyone noticing, and apply the magic glue, where does that leave us?”
“Equipped to defend our sector,” Danielli says softly. “The Captain is correct. Someone suspected that the Blood Empire would be back to try again, someone smart enough to dispatch spotter drones and to have them r
eport back to a shipwreck.”
“Why was the ship hobbled, though? If they were so smart, what’s the big deal?” Mitch says, his annoyance subsiding.
I shrug. “Maybe whoever it was knew about the Sector’s internal trade issues and wanted to disrupt them.”
Mitch holds my gaze. “They knew about you, too.”
I look at my feet, then back up again. “That one I can’t explain. But you’re right, there’s a missing piece of the puzzle.”
“A drive-sized one,” Plexi says.
I frown. “Someone must know something.”
Danielli’s head jerks up. “Right. So why not ask him?”
We all stare at Danielli, then it dawns on me. “Simpson. Or rather, Garnek. You want to question Garnek.”
“Not me, Ma’am, with all due respect. You. You’re the only one who can get to him.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
I am escorted into Simpson’s empty office without question. I decided to come alone. I figure he might not be threatened by a young woman on her own.
His office is sparse. No pictures of family, no awards, trophies or medals. Just a plain alloy desk, two holopanels and controls recessed into the desk. His one token gesture of comfort is a microcoffee machine; a retro fad among the educated.
Which makes me I realize I don’t know anything about Simpson/Garnek’s education. I am in the middle of deciding where to begin when a gruff voice behind me speaks. “When you have inspected the room sufficiently, please sit.”
Simpson comes from behind me, walks around his desk and sits. His hands are steepled together and he waits for me to take my seat.
“Where did you train, Admiral Simpson?” I think I can pump him for information more easily if I show interest.
“I’m not here for small talk, Ms Jackson. State your request.”
I grit my teeth. “That would be Captain Jackson, to you, Admiral. And I want to know your opinion of the Constellation.”
His face flickers. Stress maybe? I can’t tell. I have to remember that whether he really is Garnek or not, he’s still dangerous. No one gets to that level of rank without a degree of ruthlessness.
“I think it’s impressive, but useless. A symbol of times past. Now are we done?” He half rises out of his seat, but I stop him.
“I’m not here to trade blows, sir. I located the Constellation and hacked it with no help from anyone, and so far, no thanks. I think I’m entitled to collect as much information as I can.” My cards are on the table.
“What makes you think I know anything?” Again that brief look.
I hold my hands out in front of me, palm up. “I don’t. I’m betting that a man of your stature never makes a decision without all available information at his fingertips. No matter the source of the information. So let me ask you, why do you think the Constellation was abandoned? Why was the drive removed? And why with such precision?”
He taps his fingers against each other. “If I did know this information, what makes you think I’d give it to you?”
I can’t help roll my eyes. “Admiral, this is not a pissing contest. I’m meant to be on your side.”
“Not the imagery I’d anticipated, Captain. But I’ll be straight with you. I have no idea why the Constellation’s drive was taken, nor how it can be refitted. But I do know that we are in a highly flammable scenario with the Jovians, and I will not permit an inexperienced—and young—female pirate captain determine our agenda.” He stands. “I’m prepared to assist you because my own superior insists. But the moment my interests diverge from yours ...” He shrugs. Then walks around and stands next to me for a moment.
He seems to be inspecting me, as if committing my face to memory. I’m grateful for my laziness: my hair is still black and in a braid. I don’t know if Garnek knew of my father, but I’d rather he didn’t put two and two together. Then I realize my stupidity: he has my name, and Mitch’s. He’s only one holo-swipe away from knowing everything about us.
He motions to the coffee machine. “Help yourself. I believe old-school coffee is popular among the youngsters these days.” He strides out, leaving me no better off.
Except for one thing. He only admitted he didn’t know why the drive was taken. Which means he must know why the ship was abandoned.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
I send a brief encrypted message to Pedro through his underground channel on Ganymede, and am halfway back to my ship when I encounter my crew coming toward me on the opposite hoverTrack. I step off and wait. I’m becoming used to the low gravity and so I jog on the spot while I wait to reengage my muscles. My laziness has extended past my hair. Probably the fact that since we landed, my brain has been spinning.
I smooth down my groundsuit. My body feels good actually. Lithe, tense, ready for action. Mitch grins when he gets up close. “You look like you’re about to go on a date.”
“Pfft. Where are you all going anyway? I’m not aware I authorized leave.”
“War room.” Danielli nods to the building behind me. “Your date is ready for you, apparently. We’ve been summoned. I left the Chief back on the ship.”
I hop lightly over to their hoverTrack. “Is the Constellation here now?”
Plexi nods. “Twenty-five minutes ago. In outer orbit. Aktip, Herg and the others are on their way down by shuttle.”
“Then send a request that they join us in the war room.”
Plexi grins. “Two steps ahead of you, Madam Captain.”
I look up at the building we approach. I wonder if I’ll see it again, and I question how my friends will react to my plan. I look at Mitch, and he catches me looking. He acknowledges the contact with a brief lifting of his eyebrows, as if he is complicit in my plot.
Which, if it is to work, he has to be.
We reach the building, and as usual are escorted into the packed war room, now filled with people seated around the table. Extra seats are in place behind each VIP, more than one in some cases. The room hums with activity, and I see the faint silhouette of the Scorpion superimposed in the table’s center.
I look around for a seat. There are none. I catch an aide’s eye as he passes. He points to the other side of the table where two rows of chairs are set against the wall. In the dark, and well away from the main action.
Danielli leans in to me and whispers. “One wonders why we were summoned, Ma’am. They do not intend to ask for any contribution from us.”
I turn my head to him and smile. “And when has that ever stopped me?”
He grins and follows me to our demoted destination.
I take a seat and motion Danielli next to me, but then I spy Aktip enter the room on the other side, causing a ripple of conversation, and I stand again, waving to be noticed. Several aides and some of the table’s occupants frown at me. I don’t care. They need me and the Rykkans now. No matter where they seat me.
Aktip spots us and heads across. I notice she deliberately limits the range of her movements, showing caution in adjusting to Takao’s gravity. I move Danielli so that Aktip is between us. “Any more data?” I say softly. Aktip shakes her head, which in a Rykkan is more like a swivel. But clear enough.
The room falls silent and I see Simpson is standing. He proceeds to outline the situation so far. He ignores me completely; this is his show now. He makes a point of calling up holos depicting how their fleet will be dispersed, how many ships are involved, and that he expects the mission to be very tough, but not beyond Takao’s military capability. Well within it, if the man is to be believed.
His lean face, emotionless expression, hard eyes, and deliberate manner of speech leaves no one in doubt as to who is in charge.
The central holo brightens. “Thank you, Admiral Simpson,” grates the electronic silhouette. “If I may summarize our intent. We will recover the Constellation’s drive. Under no circumstances will the Jovians be allowed to retain it.”
The Scorpion emphasizes “under no circumstances” as if underlining the words. Judging by
the somber looks of the battle-ready men around the table, this means we fight to the death. If required.
“The Admiral believes this mission to be easily within the capacity of our fleet. But I will not have this left to chance. You must choose your best men. Fill them with the fear of a Jovian-led Sector. Promise them recognition for heroic tasks. It may be within our capability, but I do not expect any of you to hold back. You are authorized to proceed with maximum force.”
The men at the table exchange glances, while their aides furiously tap into datapads.
Which means almost none of them notice that I have stood and walked into the spotlit area. None of them except Simpson, who watched me the whole way. I now stand at the table in between two seated ranking officers.
“Actually no,” I say, shocking the table into frozen silence. Apparently you don’t contradict the Scorpion. “The last thing you need to do is risk your talented men in an unnecessary display of maximum force.”
And I tell them my real plan. Even my own crew looked stunned, but I couldn’t bring myself to brief them before the meeting. They’d never let me do it.
Mitch just stares at me.
Oddly, the first person to second it at the Scorpion’s request is none other than Admiral Simpson.
Have I been played?
CHAPTER SIXTY
The Slingshot slips out of hyperspace virtually on Ganymede’s doorstep. Jupiter’s muted marbled surface dwarfs the backdrop and for a moment I am taken by the gas giant’s sheer beauty and rustic-banded might.
The slight pull of gravity against the plasticuffs around my wrist remind me of my plight. The commPanel is already flashing its urgent red presence, and the Rykkan Chief, seated in the captain’s chair, leans across the navpanel to answer.
“LightCruiser Slingshot.” The Chief never wastes words. I look back at Mitch and Sloper, both of whom are also cuffed and tied down to their seats.
“Ganymede Customs. State your clearance and docking destination.”
Constellation (Blood Empire Book 1) Page 19
