Bos was showing Cyrillium arrogance and bravado. The problem was that the Cyrillium forces had not seen any real combat in almost a century while Federated had current battle experience and ruthless captains. Jings had not said anything till now.
“Captain Bos, I think that it would be a mistake to underestimate Federated or discount Zak's information. Federated was just a few ships only five years ago and now the estimate is at forty. They may be hodgepodge but think of how many guns you could put on a super freighter or how many fighters could go in it's storage bays.”
Bos still was not convinced but the grax were and so thanked Zak for the report. They also asked the governor of the science group to meet in order to find suitable accommodations for them. Zak would dispatch his own report to the Cyrillium high council. Jings had put one thought in his mind, Federated had four super freighters, what was in their holds. This he would try and find out on his next trip to Colisus Two station and MayBell.
-4-
Hallbrook was not happy to find out what happened to the first ship he sent.
“Sir all we found is debris. The domes on the moon were blown and, as far as our ship all that we found were fragments and a few frozen bodies. Whatever hit that ship caused a core breach.”
Hallbrook's demeanor darkened further.
“That dammed Zak, this is the last time, absolutely the very last time.”
“Sir, may I remind you that Zak is directly connected to the Cyrillium high council.”
“Shut up Doug and figure out another way Panther can have an accident. Space is a dangerous place and ships disappear all the time, even Cyrillium ones. Next time that ship is spotted in my territory you let me know and I will personally see to it there are no survivors. Now get out of my sight and send MayBell in.”
Doug was one of Federated's top captains who commanded a repurposed super freighter. It was loaded with guns, missile racks and filled with modified shuttle craft. It was slow but more than made up for it in shear firepower. Doug had been no more than a ship's mate when he was pulled into Federated. While he did not like Hallbrook he did like the power he had garnered, more than he could find anywhere else in the galaxy.
As he passed by he nodded to MayBell.
“MayBell you're up and he is not happy.”
She was familiar with Hallbrook's moods and she did not like him either. Circumstances had landed her the job when no one else wanted it. Hallbrook had a knack for finding people when they were down and out and gave them a chance. This was part of why Federated was growing so fast. Those that made the cut were treated fairly and developed a loyalty despite the dirty jobs they had to do. MayBell already knew what he wanted, advanced information on Zak so she was surprised by his orders.
“Get three ships to go out to Edahni and talk to them about their need for protection.”
She did not question the order despite how ridiculous it seemed. The colony on Edahni did not need protection nor could they afford it anyway. The only thing she could do was send an encoded message to Zak when she got a chance. For now she would send Hal, the best captain for that kind of job and let him pick the other two ships himself to accompany him. The people of Edahni were nice people that just wanted to be left alone. Zak had told her as much but Hallbrook insisted on finding out for himself. Edahni was at the very end of the galaxy on the Perseus arm and no one had ventured past it or the gray nebula beyond.
Zak and the crew of Panther were all relaxing and enjoying the warm sunshine. After several months in space this was the first real break. Pete came by to talk with Zak, he brought his new bride with him.
“I am sorry for leaving so abruptly but I finally realized that you can't run forever. Besides, we are happy and have so much in common. I am so much more at ease than ever before in my life. It looks like we will be running interplanetary shuttles between the grax worlds. This will be a good place to live.”
Zak understood, he and Pete had known each other for many years and had many bets on who would settle down first.
“The whole crew wishes you all the best and congratulations on the marriage and captaincy.”
Pete's new bride, Marta was quite young, so unlike the woman Pete usually went for. She had a soft beauty and a sharp, well educated mind, she spoke.
“Thank you Zak. Pete felt bad about leaving the crew and your reassurances help a lot.”
It was a big adjustment not having Pete on board with his somewhat wild and outgoing ways.
From the grax worlds they would be taking two containers loaded with a new design diagnostic medical bed or med bed. Four would be dropped at the hegmon worlds and the rest were destined for the Cyrillium home world. This was brand new technology that did much more than diagnostics, it also automated cures and repairs. This advanced med tech could even put a critical patient in stasis while delivering life giving treatments. As with most grax tech it was well protected from reverse engineering. The new med bed was outrageously expensive but for the Cyrillium, the richest planets in the galaxy, it was more of being first. The last visit before departing was a private meeting with Jings aboard his explorer ship in orbit around the planet. It was not often the Zak and Jings got actual face to face time as they were both captains and rarely in the same place at the same time. Zak had always been fascinated by Jings who had been exploring the outer reaches of the galaxy for more than a half a century.
“I would not bother you with this Zak but you will be going though Mercid space and they have become quite aggressive. I would strongly suggest you take the longer route and avoid any chance of an encounter. I have suggested to the high council that they send an armada through the area but so far they think that is a waste of time.”
“I appreciate the heads up on this Jings. So the high council thinks it is just some little domestic matter. I tend to agree with you but they certainly have the resources and if they decide to all unite they could be a big problem for the surrounding worlds.
The five Mercid worlds were perpetually at odds with each other over tariff fees. In between the five planets was one of the few proven long jump corridors that ended near the Cyrillium worlds. For those ships looking for a faster trip this could save six months travel time but the Mercid worlds charged high fees to pass through. The problem for the Mercid worlds is they each thought they deserved the biggest share of those fees and tariffs. This is something Zak would worry about after leaving the hegmon worlds and the nice break they afforded. Of All Panther's crew Hart was looking forward to seeing his wife and young daughter, it had been nearly a year.
The Cyrillium high council met in a huge austere building that was plain both inside and out. Everything was white, the walls and furnishings. The only concession was the actual council chamber. The long hall contained a long table headed by a dais with an ornate chair on it and behind that was a large portrait of the first ruler of the united Cyrillium worlds, Kniagina. The same discussion about Federated and other areas of unrest were being actively debated by the council but one thing had taken priority that day. Parkor Helm, the principal ambassador to the hegmon worlds was causing problems. According to complaints, Parkor was not doing his job but instead living a high lifestyle while staff tried to keep things together. Only Parkor had final authority and he simply refused to sign off on anything. The high council decided to terminate him and appoint Lukes to the job as he was practically doing it anyway. The simple solution became a problem because Parkor refused to budge claiming he had no place to go until a Cyrillium vessel could bring him home 'in a style he was accustomed to'. The problem was solved by putting in a request to Zak who could take him off planet by any means necessary. On Panther there was good news. One of the new med beds had been set up and Gina had started treatments for the severe radiation burns on her face and body. The results looked promising and that was good. The bad news was that they would have to haul Parkor Helm, an arrogant and obnoxious putz. For those that had to deal with him, he had never been a good ambassador. To
start with he had never learned the hegmon language and still relied on a translator. Even Zak, who tolerated just about everybody did not like the man. Landing on the prime hegmon world was quite an affair when crowds came out to greet them. This happened because Hart was home even though it would be for just a short while. Hegmon as a rule did not care for space travel so when of their own made made it a career it was a big thing. Just as the outer ramp opened there were Hart's wife and young daughter to greet him. As Hart ran down the ramp and embraced them a big cheer went up from the crowd. Other than this quick reunion everyone remained silent for awhile to give the rest of the crew a chance to acclimate to open skies and free air.
Zak was the last to leave the ship and saw Lukes waiting for him.
“Zak, welcome, it is always good to see you. We have much to discuss when you have an opportunity and I am afraid some of the news may not be so good.”
“Ah, I figured as much because you would not be here right off unless there was trouble, does this have to do with Parkor.”
“Yes, what else, the high council dismissed him and I will be taking over which pleases the people here very much. We can talk about that later as I know you have other meetings now.”
“Congratulations on the new position Lukes, you pretty much doing it anyway and thanks for the heads up.”
Lukes was a good diplomat and well respected, he would do a good job for the Cyrillium high council while still maintaining fairness to trade and negotiations. Zak would meet with several officials over the course of days before relaxing with Hart and his family. The rest of the crew had no commitments and just enjoyed all their time on the planet. It was just two days before Panther's scheduled departure when four crates showed up. Since there were no orders for additional freight he thought it must be a mistake. A day later Parkor contacted him demanding as to why his things had not been loaded. Zak responded.
“Well first, did you contact us and inquire if we had space available. If so none of the the crew is aware of it. Second, we do not load anything without a contract and payment.”
Parkor was incensed.
“This is official Cyrillium business so there is no dispute, you will be taking me and my belongings back to the Cyrillium home world. Any contract or payments can be sent to the diplomatic corp offices.”
Zak was used to dealing with difficult people and Parkor rated tops in that.
“It has been called to our attention that you are no longer employed by the Cyrillium diplomatic corp so unless you make proper arrangements, and soon, your things will remain where they are.”
Zak remained calm when delivering the information and then disconnected the comm. The day of departure Parkor's crates were still sitting there and when he showed up he was not happy.
“You there, get the captain out here and get these crates loaded right now.”
Parkor had just yelled at Uhr, the chief engineer who's short temper was expressed without words. In this case it was one powerful roundhouse kick that took Parkor totally by surprise and, totally off his feet. A second well placed kick to the head put him out cold.
“Zak, I understand we have to haul this ex-diplomat back to Cyrillium space, he is here, sleeping, do you want to take care of fees and get him stowed.”
“Does he need to visit the med bay or is he good enough to be moved.”
“He should be fine and I really think he should be kept fore instead of aft.”
“Sorry Uhr, I want that man as far away from the bridge as possible.” So the crew carried him and his things to a small aft cabin, this left little room but since no one wanted him aboard in the first place no one cared about his comfort.
On the bridge Zak and Hart were weighing the possibilities of successfully making it through the Mercid system undetected by it's warring planets.
“I know Jings warned against it but I still think it's worth the risk, especially with that oaf Parkor aboard.”
“Yes that is true, no one wants to put up with Parkor for any longer than necessary but still, we are not nearly well enough armed to face well armed warships.”
“Can you plot a course that takes us clear of those two planets yet still bring us out to the jump point in a reasonable time.”
“I have looked at possible routes but we will still end up between the planets for a small amount of time, enough so that if detected we could be in trouble.”
Zak considered all this and made his decision.
“No, we are not not wasting months going around, plot a course and I will notify the crew.”
No one had much data on the planets of the Mercid systems as they did little trade with outside worlds and most ships passing through did not stop. The fact that the planets tended to be hostile kept most away and Zak was counting on the fact that they were actively at war would keep them distracted from any small ship passing through. The primary planets, Gog and Magog were unremarkable and quite similar except the peoples were not. Gog had a militaristic society who's people fought among themselves but had now turned their sights on Magog. The two planets had shared peaceable trade for over a century until Magog made a new energy discovery that they did not want to share. So far neither planet had been affected directly as the battles were taking place in the space in between with neither claiming any gains. The other three inhabited planets of the system had not been involved in the conflict despite offers and bribes coming from both sides. More battleships and arms were being built at a rapid pace with no advantage going to either side. Had cooler heads prevailed they would have seen how useless it all was despite the boost to the economies brought about by the manufacturing. Magog has sent another envoy towards Gog in hopes of a peaceful resolution bur were met with a firm warning 'turn back or be destroyed'. With tensions so high and the mass of ships so great it was just a mater of time before it devolved into a slaughter on both sides, any little thing could trip it off. One of the most contested areas was the territory around the jump point with both sides squared off. Zak could not know just how volatile the situation was.
On board Panther the former diplomat, Parkor was just getting himself together and building a full head of steam targeted towards the captain. The first person he encountered was Gina.
“You, take me to the captain now.”
She just looked up at him and laughed, he became furious and mad a grab for her. After a few years of dealing with Federated scum she knew how to deal with him. A quick punch to the groin left him gasping for breath and in extreme pain.
“Touch me again and it will be worse, find the captain yourself.”
She left him doubled over in the corridor and after a time started the long walk towards the bridge. The spine of Panther was nothing more than one long hallway with airlocks, equipment lockers and conduit pathways, in may ways Panther was more like two ships. By the time Parkor made it forward he was not only angry but also hungry so stopped into the galley. A few other crew members were there in the well stocked facility and pointed him to the food and beverage dispensers. Parkor had a hard time deciding what he wanted. There were so many choices including fresh fruit but then, he had to ask someone how to operate the equipment. Realizing that he would have to deal with crew for months to come he even choked out a thank you for the help. After a most satisfying meal he set out to find the captain. Zak had been forewarned that Parkor was on his way. He had never been on the bridge of a ship before and was surprised and confused by all the monitors and stations, he just stood and gawked.
“You come from a rare place and never bothered to understand anything outside of your immediate circle, this leaves you at a great disadvantage Parkor”
“I am just beginning to realize that captain, I had to ask how the galley dispensers worked, how embarrassing.”
“So the first thing you should know is that you are not welcome on the bridge unless summoned, this time I will make an exception. The second thing is that as captain I am the law and expect you to follow all commands without c
omplaint. We will be going through some hostile territory so do not be surprised if we are fired upon. You will want to know how to put on a survival suit and where your escape pod is located.”
“But I thought we were passing through civilized space. Are there recent developments I am not aware of.”
“If you had read your dispatches from the home world or paid attention to your former staff I am sure you would have known about the troubles near the jump point. Hart can brief you of our route if you ask nice and try to get along with the crew, your life depends on it.”
It had finally sunk in to Parkor that he was dependent on the ship and crew for his life.
“Thank you for that information captain, I will do my best to stay out of everyone's way.”
He left the bridge and started the long walk aft.
“He almost seems human, I wonder what brought about that.
“No clue, perhaps Uhr's introduction.”
-5-
On any ship, especially the smaller ones the crew was generally quite close and cooperative because they all depended on each other, from the lowest deck hand to the bridge crew.
Uncooperative workers could just as easily shoved out an airlock as not. Most ships were crewed exclusively by humans so Panther was unique because of it's diversity. On Panther human, hegmon, grax and even a Moog functioned very well together.
On board the Gog battleships cooperation was not always so good. Promotions were often made by sabotaging or stepping on a superior officer in what had become a rather cutthroat space force. In this the Gog were not much different Federated. Magog's fleets functioned much better and because of this often prevailed in contacts with the Gog ships. Both fleets were evenly matched in armaments and weapons. This latest escalation was due to Gog's mistaken belief that Magog's new energy source discovery was some sort of weapon. Panther was ten days out from possible contact with these hostile fleets. Parkor had gotten used to his tiny quarters and spent most of his time utilizing the ship's extensive library of entertainment programs. As most spacers knew, life aboard ship was ninety percent boredom and ten percent shear terror. Panther had several married couples aboard like Uhr and Dihr which made time pass easier. For others competitive games, music or hobbies helped pass the time. Uhr's hobby was developing better and smarter missiles which had saved Panther more than once. It was because of these hobbies that the ship had the very best long range scanners in all of the sixty two known worlds. The operator on duty called out.
Zak Jahns Page 4
