Messinants

by S. H. Jucha

  Rufus and Idrian sat in comfortable chairs, facing each other, in the nicely decorated office, located on the third story of Idrian’s home.

  “Do you believe her?” Idrian asked.

  “I believe that Lise is working to further her own interests,” Rufus replied. “If her plans need our support, then we’ll be included.”

  “The plans she has discussed with us speak to bargaining for an expansion of dome space to allow the movement of the alien devices through the domes,” Idrian replied. “That doesn’t sound like Lise. She usually thinks much more strategically.”

  “Which is why I don’t think we’re hearing everything she’s thinking,” Rufus replied.

  “So, what’s our move?” Idrian asked.

  “Which ones of the family heads might like to work with us to ensure that Lise doesn’t become the exclusive title holder of newly recovered land or, worse, become the planet’s governor?” Rufus asked.

  “If you state the proposition in the latter manner, we can probably get most of them to work with us,” Idrian replied, grinning. “But, of course, that begs the question of who replaces Lise, if we’re successful in removing her.”

  “I’ve given that some thought,” Rufus replied. “The Andropovs held the title of governor since the inception of the domes. Now, in the course of two or three years, we might see two replacements. That’s too much instability.”

  “You think it might lead to the family heads getting ideas about becoming the next governor?” Idrian asked.

  “That’s exactly what I’m thinking,” Rufus replied. “What if we formed a council? Every family head could have a vote, the majority rules. That way, there’s no governorship to fight over.”

  “I like it,” Idrian replied, “and for more than one reason. If we’ve formed a council, even without Lise’s cooperation, think of the buying power we could amass, which we could use to get in on the planet’s recovery.”

  Rufus and Idrian grinned at each other. Family heads had typically acted in opposition to one another, which the Andropovs had fostered in their efforts to hold sway over the domes. Now, there was the opportunity for the family heads to evolve into something bigger and more powerful.

  The men hoisted their drinks to each other and began planning who they would contact first and what they would say.

  -26-

  Emerson

  JOS tracking updated Emerson Strattleford. The Spryte was hours from docking at the JOS. The Annie and the Pearl were headed for the YIPS, and the Belle was more than a day behind Cinders’ ships.

  Emerson marched to Major Finian’s office after arriving at security administration. “Major, the Spryte will be docking soon. You’re to arrest Captain Cinders.”

  It wasn’t necessary for Liam Finian to act surprised. Lieutenant Higgins and he knew that the governor and commandant had discussed the possibility, but Liam expected to get some warning. Picking up his comm device, he scrolled for active warrants.

  “Don’t bother,” Emerson announced. “I haven’t completed Cinders’ charge sheet. New information has come to my attention this morning.”

  “Perhaps we should wait until we have a warrant,” Liam suggested.

  “Major, you have your orders. I don’t wish to see the Spryte dock and launch before I can complete my investigation. We can hold Captain Cinders for seventy-two hours without a warrant.”

  Under normal circumstances, Liam would have pressed the issue, but where it concerned Captains Cinders and Harbour, it was anything but standard procedures.

  “Understood, Commandant,” Liam replied evenly. When Emerson left, Liam hustled out of his office, exited security administration, and sought a quiet place in the inner corridors.

  “Captain Stamerson, we have a problem,” Liam said, when his call was accepted. “The commandant has ordered me to arrest Captain Cinders.”

  “On what charges?” Henry exclaimed. “He’s submitted nothing to the Review Board.”

  “He says that he’s still completing his investigation. Says he has new information.”

  “Highly unlikely,” Henry commented. “What do you intend to do, Liam?”

  “Warn Cinders, of course,” Liam replied.

  “I’d like to hear his thoughts,” Henry said.

  “Hold one, and I’ll connect us,” Liam said. It occurred to him that he should add Harbour.

  “Go ahead, Major,” Jessie said, when Harbour was online.

  “I’ve orders from the commandant to arrest you, Captain Cinders, when you dock the Spryte,” Liam said.

  “On what charges?” Harbour asked indignantly.

  “Emerson says he’s working on that,” Liam replied. “Henry and I don’t think the charges will ever be filed. I think he intends to hold Jessie for the maximum seventy-two hours.”

  “For what purpose?” Harbour demanded.

  “It’s probably an attempt to discredit Jessie,” Henry replied. “He’s the one who has spoken with the Jatouche and encouraged them to help Pyre. That’s frightened Lise Panoy. She wants to smear Jessie’s reputation in order to put her in a stronger negotiating position.”

  “Jessie, you can hold the Spryte off from the JOS and transfer to the Belle when we make the YIPS,” Harbour volunteered. From Jessie, there was silence, which boded nothing good, as far as Harbour was concerned.

  “Liam, will you be doing the honors?” Jessie asked.

  “That’s my intention. I thought it would be safer that way,” Liam replied.

  Jessie barely replied with, “Agreed,” when Harbour burst out with, “Jessie, what are you thinking?”

  “I’m doing what you wanted, Harbour,” Jessie replied. Before Harbour could object, he hurried on. “You wanted to jostle the people’s thinking. They have to be experiencing mixed emotions. The Jatouche are frightening them, but the prospect of recovering the planet is exciting them, at least according to the captains who’ve spoken to me. That has to be muddling their thinking.”

  “Understood, Jessie, but how does getting arrested help the situation?” Harbour asked.

  Henry and Liam independently thought to help with the explanation, but common sense intervened. Harbour wasn’t in the mood to hear from anyone but Jessie. In that regard, both men were happy they weren’t in her company.

  “Emerson is going to look like a fool for arresting me and preferring no charges against me,” Jessie replied, “and he can only hold me for seventy-two hours.”

  “What if he does create a charge sheet and applies for a warrant?” Harbour objected.

  “I can assure you, Harbour,” Henry replied, happy to provide a calming influence, “Emerson won’t get a warrant from the Review Board, not with what we know about his intrigue with Lise Panoy.”

  “Liam, make the arrest public and a little noisy,” Jessie said.

  “Will do,” Liam replied and ended the conference call.

  Immediately, Harbour called the Spryte and asked for Jessie.

  “There’s time to reconsider this,” Harbour said.

  “You’re not worried about me, are you?” Jessie teased.

  “I’ve just broken in a good business partner. If this arrest goes bottoms up, I’ll have to negotiate a new contract with your captains. But, I guess that can’t be helped.”

  Jessie laughed, but the words had stung a mite. It’s my own fault, he thought. Keep her at arm’s length but hope for endearing words. That makes you a fool, Jessie Cinders.

  Jessie ended the comm with Harbour and told Ituau what would happen after they docked.

  “Hmm,” Ituau had replied. “I get to be acting captain again. I’m getting used to the promotion.”

  After docking at the JOS, the Spryte received a warning from the terminal arm manager that security was on its way.

  Jessie stepped off the gangway ramp and was met by Liam and Sergeants Lindstrom and Rodriguez.

  Liam announced in an officious and loud voice that Jessie was under arrest by order of Commandant Strattleford.
Spacers and stationers, who were passing by, froze to watch the proceedings. Jessie, sounding outraged, demanded to know the charges. In a similar voice, Liam announced that the commandant would prefer the charges later.

  Spacers on the arm, as well as the Spryte’s crew, grumbled at the unorthodox procedure. Arresting a captain of Jessie Cinders’ standing, without the due process of procuring a warrant, angered them, and they closed in on the small group.

  “Stand down,” Jessie ordered. “Major Finian is following orders, as he should. My issue is with the commandant,” Jessie added in a loud voice and marched off down the terminal arm with security in tow.

  With Jessie’s arrest, Emerson was feeling extremely satisfied. That was until Stamerson walked into his office a few hours later.

  “I’ve issued no warrant for Captain Cinders. Why is he in holding?” Henry demanded.

  “I’m formulating the charge sheets now, Captain. I’ll have them to you before the seventy-two-hour holding period runs out,” Emerson replied with equanimity.

  “Well, what is he suspected of doing?” Henry asked.

  “I’m not at liberty to say, right now, Captain,” Emerson replied, enjoying his superior position in this gambit.

  “This is most irregular, Commandant Strattleford,” Henry replied with heat. “See that you don’t hold Captain Cinders for the full seventy-two hours and fail to charge him. The Review Board will take a dim view of your actions, in that case.”

  Henry didn’t wait for a reply. He executed the most indignant exit he could manage, waiting until he had turned a couple of corners before he allowed a smile to curve his lips.

  Emerson diligently worked on creating a charge sheet. He knew his statements were broad, poorly defined, and, in most cases, purely dubious, but he was working in uncharted territory. They were all related to the aliens: inspecting an alien site and consequently activating it, communicating with the aliens without authorization, and endangering Pyrean society.

  Emerson worked late and was leaving for the day, when he passed Major Finian’s office. Inside were the major, Higgins, Lindstrom, and, unimaginably, Jessie Cinders. They were engaged in playing some sort of game on their comm devices.

  “What’s this?” Emerson demanded.

  “Felon Search,” Liam replied brightly. “Newest release of the game. We can accommodate another player if you’d like to join us, Commandant.”

  “I’m asking why the prisoner is here,” Emerson pressed.

  “I was invited,” Jessie replied good-naturedly.

  “You’re under arrest,” Emerson screeched.

  “And so he is, Commandant,” Liam replied. “I’ve two other security officers with me to ensure that I’m not overpowered by Captain Cinders, if he tries to escape. I feel quite secure with our numbers.”

  Emerson knew he could order Cinders to be placed in a cell, but the insubordinate gleams that shone in the officers’ eyes worried him. Without another word, he spun on his heels and made for the exit.

  Early the next morning, Emerson was wondering how he could counter the ease with which his officers were treating Cinders, when he received an anxious call from Evan Pendleton.

  “There’s a major problem brewing here, Commandant,” Evan said hastily.

  You’ve no idea, Emerson thought, reminded of the conversation with Liam Finian last night.

  “I’ve four mining ships full of ore sitting off the YIPS. The owner-captains are refusing to dock,” Evan hurried to say.

  “Why?” Emerson asked.

  “They say it’s a protest, Commandant.”

  “A protest against what? Prices?”

  “The say it’s a protest against you, Sir, for locking up Captain Cinders.”

  “Let them sit out there, Pendleton. It’s their coin to waste.”

  “But, Commandant, it’s the Pearl and the Belle too. The YIPS has a good stockpile of ore, but we need the slush.”

  “How many days can you hold out, Pendleton?”

  “A few weeks, Commandant, but what if Captains Harbour and Hastings decide to wait until the slush runs dry before they dock? At that point, they can set any price for their cargo, and, unless we want to have production come to a halt, we’ll have to accept it.”

  “Let me think on this, Pendleton. I’ll get back to you,” Emerson replied, before ending the call.

  Emerson sat at his kitchen table, his morning meal unfinished and his caf chilling, while he considered his reversal of fortune. It angered him that he couldn’t enjoy the pleasure of Jessie Cinders’ arrest for the full three days. He picked up his comm device, and his finger touched a stored number.

  “Any other bright ideas, Lise?” Emerson asked, without introduction. “Your idea of arresting Cinders has backfired. We have mining ships withholding delivery to the YIPS.”

  “So?” Lise shot back.

  “That includes the Belle and the Annie, which are carrying valuable loads of slush.

  “Who organized the spacers?” Lise demanded.

  “No idea,” Emerson replied. “It could have been the owner-captains or it might have been Harbour and Cinders. Those two are getting quite politically minded. I’m going to have to release Cinders before this gets out of hand.”

  “Emerson, you’re going to look foolish and weak in the eyes of spacers and stationers, if you don’t charge Cinders,” Lise warned.

  “I know that, Lise,” Emerson replied sharply. “I’ve had Stamerson in my office demanding to know the charges. I can tell you that the Review Board isn’t going to approve my charge sheet.”

  “You should try, Emerson,” Lise said, entreating the commandant in a softer voice.

  “Lise, I’ve spent an entire day trying to write something substantive. I’d throw an officer out of my office, if he or she brought me the dribble I’ve composed. At this point, I don’t need to make a greater fool of myself. And, Lise, thank you for your excellent suggestion,” Emerson added, before he abruptly cut the comm call.

  Emerson cleaned up his plate and cup before hurrying to security administration. He was intent on releasing Cinders, as soon as possible.

  “Free Captain Cinders, Major,” Emerson said, stopping by Liam’s office. “I’ve changed my mind. There’ll be no charges filed.”

  “Certainly, Commandant,” Liam replied. “He’s with Sergeants Lindstrom and Rodriguez in their office, if you wish to tell him yourself.”

  “Why is he there? Playing more games?” Emerson asked.

  “Not during work hours, Commandant,” Liam replied in mock surprise. “Captain Cinders thought it would be a good idea if the JOS could pick up the signal from the Triton monitoring array, which overlooks the dome. I thought we should broadcast the comings and goings of the Jatouche, in real time so to speak, to the stations and possibly downside. It’s too bad it will only be visuals, although we couldn’t understand them even if we could hear them.”

  “And you didn’t think to run this past me?” Emerson asked, his indignation showing.

  “I tried, Commandant,” Liam replied. “I stopped by your office, yesterday, but you were on the comm to the governor.”

  Emerson blanched at the thought that he hadn’t closed his door for the call with Lise, and he wondered what the major might have overheard. “Tell Cinders he’s released and get him out of security,” Emerson said before he hurried to his office.

  Liam eased out of his chair, a smile on his face as wide as the one Henry wore yesterday, when he left the commandant’s office.

  “How’s it going?” Liam asked, when he entered the sergeants’ office. The threesome were crowded around a monitor, and Cecilia was furiously working on entering code into her comm device.

  “Almost have it,” Miguel replied. He pointed to something on the monitor, and Cecilia grunted in reply and tapped on her device a few more times.

  “Ha!” the three declared straightening up and pointing at the monitor.

  Liam came around the desk and eyed the image. Conside
ring the optics of the equipment and the distance it was transmitting, it was a fairly clean image.

  “Well done, team,” Liam congratulated. “By the way, Captain, you’re officially released.”

  “Nuts,” Jessie replied. “I was looking forward to getting some of my coin back from Miguel when we played Felon Search this evening.”

  “And here I was anticipating taking more of your coin,” Miguel said, adding a grin.

  “Major, a moment, if you please?” Jessie asked, indicating they should step into the corridor. “This is a gift, Liam,” Jessie said, when they were alone. He handed Liam the small ear wig. “You can listen to the Jatouche yourself or put it next to a comm device to use its speakers in a group.

  Liam frowned at the tiny unit before carefully pocketing it. “Thanks, I think,” he said.

  Jessie chuckled and said, “It’s a translation device. You’ll hear the Jatouche speaking in our language.”

  “Oh, for the love of Pyre,” Liam hissed. He pulled the ear wig out and examined it. “That capability is in this little thing? It makes you believe that the Jatouche have the technology to successfully recover the planet.”

  “I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon, but I do think it’ll eventually happen,” Jessie replied, clapping a hand on Liam’s shoulder. He went with Liam to collect his personal things and then made his way out of security.

  Once in the main corridor, Jessie opened his comm device and called Ituau. “I’m out,” he said. “Let the captains know.”

  “A piece of news for you, Captain,” Ituau replied. “We weren’t the only ones objecting to your treatment. Four ore ship captains refused to unload.”

  Jessie chuckled at the thought of independent-minded captains choosing to take a protest stance.

  “What’s that I hear?” Ituau asked.

  “I’m walking through the main concourse, and, apparently, I’ve become a popular individual. You’re hearing applause,” Jessie replied. His waves were brief, and he walked faster to hide his embarrassment. “Let Evan Pendleton know I’m out. He can communicate that to the ore captains, if they haven’t heard already.”

  Jeremy, the Spryte navigator, caught Ituau’s eye and pointed at his board.