Trader Vyx

by DePrima, Thomas

  "I also believe that we acted very rashly when we voted to replace Commander Carver during the emergency," Admiral Platt said. "If we had such little faith in her abilities, we should never have named her as base commander to begin with. We must show her that we have confidence in her ability to command by rewarding her in some way."

  "Rewarding her?" Admiral Hubera exclaimed. "We've already placed her in a position that's never before been held by an officer below the rank of Admiral, Upper Half."

  "You equate heaping a ton of responsibility onto a young officer's shoulders, with receiving a commendation for a job well done?" Admiral Bradlee asked.

  All eyes turned towards Admiral Hubera, and he scowled, looked down at the table while muttering something under his breath.

  "Evelyn is right," Admiral Moore said. "We must do something to erase the embarrassment of being ordered to surrender command to a more senior officer, and Commander Carver must understand that we appreciate her efforts and continue to have confidence in her judgment."

  * * *

  Jenetta was glad that news reporters hadn't gotten to Stewart yet. But even without their on site presence, the news broadcasts received in the daily data stream were overwhelming for a couple of weeks. Headlines such as 'Carver Repels Raiders', 'Carver Annihilates Fleet', and similar sensational headlines were commonplace. Space Command had released a number of press statements and the press had filled in between the lines, digging back into Jenetta's military history and even replaying segments of the video record from the court martial where the seizure of the battleships, and the destruction of Raider One, was discussed.

  After the news of the battle was released, Jenetta received hundreds of messages from former classmates and people that she had met during her military career. Even a few friends from high school, mostly people from her inner circle of 'computer geek' friends, sent notes. She responded to every one personally, even though her responses all started to sound the same after a few dozen.

  Her family was naturally relieved that she was safe, and her brothers were envious that Jenetta was once again in the thick of things. Jimmy seemed to be particularly envious, vociferously stating that he thought Space Command should rotate officers from behind the lines with officers that had seen a lot of action. His ship was on routine patrol in an area that rarely ever saw any real trouble.

  * * *

  It took weeks to complete the repairs to the four warships that had participated in the battle. There wasn't any great urgency since the ships were all fully spaceworthy after a few days, so the engineers took the time to do the repairs right. It might be years before they got back to a shipyard, and this was the only protected base within almost four hundred light-years.

  The Maid of Mephad had arrived with the Asuncion, and the cargo of weapons and munitions was unloaded and brought to an armory below the docking level, where each piece could be examined and their serial numbers recorded.

  The Thor returned to port with Vyx, Byers, and Nelligen aboard. Each man had prepared a report during the return trip and transmitted it to Captain Kanes at Higgins Space Command Base. Jenetta arranged for a clandestine meeting in her office with the three men, to thank them for their participation in the weapons retrieval operation. Vyx had explained to Byers and Nelligen while in Rivemwilth's base that Jenetta knew every detail of the operation from having worked at Intelligence, and they talked openly. They told her about loading the ship and then being brought to the planet's surface so that Rivemwilth could strand them on the base.

  "I'm glad that he didn't just shoot you and have your bodies tossed out an airlock," Jenetta said.

  "Well, it's true that he couldn't just let us go after stealing our ship," Vyx said, "but Shev Rivemwilth was also never one to pass up an easy credit. If word got out that he had broken a contract and then stolen the assets of the other party, his business would have suffered greatly. There's always someone desperate enough to buy from anybody, but the price would have to be very low to attract the less desperate customers; those wary of a bad reputation. Rivemwilth had to make sure that we disappeared permanently, so that we couldn't tell anyone what he did. He could have just killed us, and buried our bodies on the moon, but there's no profit in that. By selling us into slavery, he turned a profit and buried us at the same time. I'm sure that the Tsgardi were there to take us away as slaves to a far-off mining colony. He must have had himself a real good laugh as the Maid left the moon's orbit."

  "I'm sure that he wasn't laughing when those explosive charges fired," Nelligen said grinning, "and the atmosphere evacuated."

  "No," Vyx said, "that would have wiped the smile off his ugly face. I'm sure that the end came too quickly though. I wonder if there was even time for him to realize that I had done him in."

  "If all the charges fired," Byers said, "and the emergency doors didn't close, they probably had less than a minute before the atmosphere was so depleted that they were struggling to get their breath. That wouldn't allow much time for reflection. They probably used their last seconds trying to get emergency rebreathers to work. I removed the control chips from all rebreather masks just before we reached the RP. By the time they realized that was a lost cause, it would be too late to get to lifepods."

  "I guess that it really doesn't matter," Vyx said without remorse. "Rivemwilth was responsible for his own demise. If we hadn't been stranded on the base, it would have turned out much differently. But it's doubtful that he ever would have enjoyed freedom again. Who knows, perhaps he would have preferred it this way. A jail cell wouldn't come close to providing the comforts of the base he had built on that moon. If you had to be stranded in a deserted base, you couldn't ask for a better place. If we'd had communications and ample food, we could have just kicked back and relaxed until someone could stop for us."

  "From the way that it's been described to me," Jenetta said, "the base is extremely well constructed. Pending confirmation from Space Command Supreme Headquarters, I've decided to designate it as an official outpost. At sixty light-years from Stewart, it offers a good location to function as a re-supply point so that ships don't have to travel the extra two or three months to Stewart when they're short on food or supplies. A small staff can be rotated in and out every six months. If it's approved as an official outpost, Quartermaster supply ships will make it one of their regular stops in this sector."

  "I have something else for Captain Kanes, Commander. One of the Tsgardi that died in the attack on us is the spitting image of Recozzi. I'd like to have him identified before the body is disposed of."

  "Certainly. Where's the body?"

  "In the morgue aboard the Thor."

  "I'll have the Intelligence Section here examine it as soon as possible. Is it in good condition?"

  "He took a hit to the heart that killed him instantly. He didn't smell too good when we took him out of the storage container, but then he didn't smell too good when we first put him in. Come to think of it, Tsgardi never smell very good anyway."

  Jenetta grinned. "As long as they can get elbow prints and DNA, they should be able to identify his origins."

  "I'll be interested in learning those myself."

  "Our Intelligence people here found Rivemwilth's records aboard the Maid," Jenetta said. "They positively identify Rivemwilth as the arms dealer behind the thefts, and name his accomplices. His demise, and the recovery of the ordnance, will probably close the active investigation. Rivemwilth's records will put the others away for a long time."

  "I guess that we have some down time coming," Vyx said.

  "You deserve it," Jenetta said. "On behalf of Space Command, I want to commend you on a job well done. The recovery of those weapons will go a long way in helping us keep peace in this part of the galaxy. Thank you."

  Before the three operatives left, Vyx requested the return of the envelope that he had left with her for safe keeping.

  "Also, what about my ship?" Vyx asked.

  "The Maid?"

  "Noooo, m
y ship, the Scorpion. The small transport that I use to travel around."

  "It's still where you left it in the port. Thinking about leaving us right away?"

  "As soon as I get new orders. I also have a little side trip to Scruscotto in mind. Someone there owes us," he said enigmatically.

  * * *

  A DNA check performed on the body of the Tsgardi that looked like Recozzi, proved that they weren't clones, although the family ties were very close. He had to be either a brother or cousin. Knowing that the Tsgardi blood feud code required all family members to know the face of the enemy, it wasn't surprising that another brother or cousin on Gollasko would have recognized Vyx immediately. Each Tsgardi carries the images of family enemies with them on playing cards, and are required to study the faces nightly. The personal belongings of the Tsgardi killed at Rivemwilth's base must have been aboard his ship because they weren't on his person.

  In any event, Vyx would have to be on the lookout, and be careful around all Tsgardi because he couldn't count on there being such a striking family resemblance in the future. Very few people survived a Tsgardi blood feud unless they returned to Earth, or at least remained at the inner core of Galactic Alliance system. The Tsgardi rarely ventured there.

  * * *

  A week after the Maid of Mephad docked, Jenetta received a message from Space Command. It turned out to be a copy of a transmission sent to Mr. Diggot, the chairman of the Stewart Merchant's Association. The face of Rear Admiral, Lower Half, Wright appeared as Jenetta tapped the play button.

  "Greetings, Mr. Diggot. Space Command Supreme Headquarters has received your complaint and investigated the matter thoroughly. Essentially, your grievance seems to stem from a lack of confidence in the ability of Commander Carver to function as base commander. Let me assure you that the Admiralty Board does not share that opinion. Space Command has full confidence in all our base commanders, or they would not occupy such strategic positions of authority and responsibility; and Commander Carver has repeatedly proven herself to be one of our most able base commanders. Her response of ignoring your request to negotiate with the Raiders was one hundred percent correct. We find that you were very much out of line for even suggesting such an action. It's not the place of merchants to criticize the military decisions of Space Command officers during battle situations.

  "Forgetting for a second that the Raiders have shown repeatedly that they can't be trusted to honor agreements, Space Command does not endorse appeasement of criminals. Your complaint, calling for Commander Carver's immediate removal, states that you and your organization will not accept Commander Carver's authority, nor obey her directives. Since this is in direct violation of the lease agreement that you signed for space on the Stewart concourse, you force us to demand that you vacate the premises within 30 days from the receipt of this message. We will not hold any other members of your organization responsible for your words, but they will be likewise evicted should they be found to be in violation of the terms of their leases. Space on the concourse is a privilege, not a right. You're located on a military base, and a base commander is the final authority outside of Supreme Headquarters. In Commander Carver's case, she is the final authority in all Space Command matters over hundreds of light-years in every direction of Galactic Alliance space. She will be directed to return all unused rents and deposits once you have vacated your leased space.

  "Admiral Wright, Space Command Supreme Headquarters, message complete."

  Later that day, Lieutenant Ashraf informed Jenetta that Mr. Diggot was requesting to see her.

  "Send him in, Lori."

  Diggot wasn't even through the doorway before he began apologizing for the letter that he sent to Supreme Headquarters.

  "I was scared, Commander," Diggot said. "I didn't know what I was doing. I see now that I should have trusted your judgment. Please forgive me."

  "I forgive you, Mr. Diggot," Jenetta said nonchalantly.

  Diggot brightened. "Then I don't have to leave?"

  "I didn't say that. I said I forgive you."

  "Please, Commander," he whined, wringing his hands roughly. "Don't kick me out. I'll lose everything. I hocked my soul to get here." He started to walk closer but stopped short, three meters from Jenetta's desk, as the two cats stood up and snarled.

  "Space Command Supreme Headquarters made the decision, Mr. Diggot, not me. They're the ones that ordered you to vacate the space you've leased. You wanted a Headquarters intervention, and you've received it."

  "Commander, please, I made a mistake. I'll never do it again. Please let me stay. Space Command has said that you're the final authority in this part of space. Since this is a StratCom-One base, as the base commander you're empowered to override their directives. Please," he pleaded.

  Jenetta sighed. She didn't like the man, but she didn't like to see people grovel either. She knew that she could insist, and that it would ruin him, but she didn't really hold any malice towards him.

  "Mr. Diggot, I'll allow you stay on two conditions. One, that you submit your resignation as the president of the Stewart Merchant's Association today, and that you never again run for either of the top two leadership positions."

  "Of course, Commander. Anything you say. I'll resign immediately."

  "And two, that you send a letter to Space Command apologizing for wasting their time, and requesting that they endorse my decision to lift the eviction order. If they do, you may stay."

  "Of course, Commander. I'll send the letter today. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you."

  "Very well, Mr. Diggot. The matter of the eviction is suspended pending the response from Admiral Wright, and subject to the provision that you send the request today."

  "I will, Commander. Thank you. Thank you."

  Jenetta had to walk Diggot out the door to get him to stop thanking her.

  Two weeks later Jenetta received a message from Admiral Wright approving her action concerning Mr. Diggot and expressing his satisfaction that she settled the matter amicably. He also congratulated her on her handling of the base and the battle for the station.

  * * *

  Chapter Nineteen

  ~ December 15th, 2274 ~

  Three months after the battle, the station was back to normal. The Hayworth and the O'Keefe were filled with Raider prisoners and ready to depart for the penal colonies where the Raiders would be tried, sentenced, and incarcerated. The Thor, Ottawa, and Asuncion had received new orders to leave on regular patrol, while the Chiron, Song, and Geneva would remain behind to provide base security. Other warships were on their way and would arrive in the coming months, freeing up the three for patrol activities.

  Captain Powers requested that Jenetta and the senior officers of each ship involved in the battle share a last dinner together before any left the port. Jenetta also invited the senior officers at the station that had worked in the CIC. The Geneva and Thor had missed the action, but their senior staffs were invited as well, so that they wouldn't feel slighted. Jenetta's private dining room was far too small to accommodate everyone, so the officer's mess, located very near Jenetta's private dining room, would close for the evening at 1700 to be used for the special dinner. Officers who didn't have dinner before 1700 hours would either have to eat in the NCO mess, or try to get an invitation to dine at an officer's mess aboard one of the ships in port, for this one evening.

  Lieutenant Gulvil took personal responsibility for the meal, and everything was excellent from the appetizers to the dessert. Since no dinner party such as this could ever be held without a few speeches being given, Captain Powers stood up to speak after the waiters had removed the dishes and begun serving coffee and desserts.

  "My friends, I'm delighted to be here tonight, and equally delighted that you're all here to enjoy this delicious meal. There was some question a few months ago if we'd still be around to celebrate after the battle. The Raiders definitely had us outnumbered and outgunned. It's interesting that a few days after the battle was over, I rec
eived orders from Space Command Supreme Headquarters instructing me to take control of the station for the duration of the Raider threat. But by then the Raider threat was ended. I assume that Space Command wanted a more senior officer in charge during such a dangerous and critical time.

  "Well–– following receipt of that order, I sent a reply to the Admiralty Board thanking them for their confidence in me. I also included a statement praising the tactical brilliance of Commander Jenetta Carver. It's true that I would have handled it differently. I'm sure that every officer in this room would have had some variation for responding to the Raider threat, but I'm equally sure that not one of them could have resulted in greater success. We destroyed twenty-six Raider ships while losing none, and we lost only eleven people while the Raiders lost many thousands. I firmly believe that the tactics used here, since the day that Commander Carver first seized this station with a tiny, incapacitated ship and a crew of just a hundred eighty-five, will be documented, taught, and studied at the Academies for many years to come."

  Captain Powers sat down to applause and Captain Yung, as the second ranking officer at the engagement, stood up immediately to speak.

  "I'm very happy to be here tonight also. I was honored to captain the first warship to engage the Raiders during this battle, although I must say that flying into the fight in the highly unusual and daring manner ordered by Commander Carver was a bit unnerving. We entered the engagement area at just 80 kps and didn't employ our sub-light engines until we were just five-thousand kilometers from the ring of Raider ships. The base had, of course, provided complete information on every target and its position. Still, it's s bit unnerving to expose yourself as the sole target to nineteen enemy warships." Smiling, he said, "Having the port entrance doors at the base jam, halfway open, didn't make me feel any better at the start of the operation. I'm glad that Captain Powers has such an excellent helmsman so that the smaller opening didn't delay his arrival. His timely exit from the port took much of the gunnery attention away from my ship. Every battle is fluid, and unexpected events will always occur at the worst possible moment, but the jammed doors didn't affect the outcome of the battle and I add my praise to that of Captain Powers in congratulating Commander Carver for her excellent battle plan."