“Interesting. It seems a landing craft from the Yorkdale has broken loose and is drifting. It has broken apart and sections are drifting towards our hull. Know anything about that?”
Sergeant Lovett shrugged, but he was aware that this was almost certainly a ploy to keep Captain Hobbs and her people busy while a much smaller team made their way to their position. Sergeant Keller smiled.
“I’ll be in touch in an hour, and remember to keep the noise down.”
In just a few seconds he was gone, and Sergeant Lovett was alone. He waited for a little while longer for confirmation from his proximity sensors. The light eventually went black, indicating they were safe.
“You both still here?”
The two marines emerged from the blackness of the bulkheads.
“Sergeant, the signal is coming through. Looks like an EVA unit is already inside the cargo layer.”
Sergeant Lovett looked surprised.
“That was damned fast, so they must have started the trip before the diversion. Are the codes correct?”
“They match up with those given to us in the last transmission. If I’m not mistaken, there are nearly twenty separate signatures.”
“Okay then, meet them down at the hatch. Looks like our support unit is here. All we need to do now is find out what the hell is going on, and seize the ship.”
The female marine gave a short laugh.
“Yeah, easy enough.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Many Zealots had previously fought during the Great War on the side of the Centauri League. In those early years, these fanatics were often sons or brothers of rural workers on planets such as Carthago. Like the religious refugees from Europe in the middle ages, these people coalesced into groups based around their religions and sects. The close-knit groups were the backbone of the infantry of the war. The defeat of the League left their ideals in ruins and created anger and distrust that simmered beneath the surface for generations.
Origins of the Zealots
The entire unit was now inside the first layer of the ship’s rotating habitation section. The outer skin was triple-skinned with a gap of nearly twenty centimetres between each section. It was nothing compared to the massively over-engineered plating on Confederate warships, and it was enough to absorb damage from light debris and high velocity dust, but that was it. The group of marines and Jötnar were stationary, but from inside it looked like they were flying around the two main layers.
“Hold on,” she said quietly through the comms in her suit.”
The rotation of the large craft was slow, and they were easily able to grab onto the series of handles and mounts positioned for crew and engineers to work. It took a few seconds to settle down and avoid the instant feeling of sickness that washed through her stomach.
The internal hatch seal opened slowly, almost so slow that Teresa couldn’t make out its progress. She looked over to the others to find them all holding on with grim determination. The gap increased until she could make out the dark interior of the cargo area. Pieces of debris from the damaged craft they had used as a decoy still moved about outside, and through some of the many slits in the outer skin she could see chunks of metal. Luckily the bulk of the junk had drifted closer to the bow of the Oceania, and that was where it had attracted the most attention. As she hung there, she spotted an automated sentry drone moving along the outer part of the hull. She looked over to Kowalski who was hanging slightly below her.
“Man, that was close,” he said.
“Yeah, another thirty seconds and they would have made us,” she answered.
Finally, the gap was big enough for her to squeeze through. The PDS suit was close fitting and required only a little more space than her actual body took up. She reached out to the hatchway, and an arm pushed out to grab hers.
“Hell!” she cried, but it was too late. The arm pulled her inside and into the cargo section. As she dropped to the ground, she flipped out her fighting knife, holding it low.
“Easy, it’s me, Lovett!” cried an almost panicking Sergeant Lovett.
“Gods, Lovett, I nearly gutted you.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
He helped move her to one side, and behind her pushed more marines and even a small group of Jötnar.”
“How many are you?”
“One full marine squad and a handful of Jötnar. It’s not much, but with the time we had, it’s all we could get over without being spotted.”
One of the massive Jötnar warriors climbed inside and pulled off a crude but fully sealed helmet. He wore the normal half armour used by the Jötnar assault troops but with the current experimental sealed plates. It wasn’t a permanent solution and had limited movement and supply of air, but it was enough to make the short journey in the vacuum of space. Teresa tapped the warrior on the shoulder and looked back to Sergeant Lovett.
“You’ve met Khan before. He’s in charge of the assault team.”
“A Jötnar assault team, and led by a Jötnar that has trained alongside Spartan? I take it Major Daniels isn’t planning on subtlety then?”
“Not quite. The Major insists the priority is the arrest of Hobbs and taking back the ship. We need to be ready for the fight, and he certain she has another agenda.”
More fighters kept entering the vessel, and each one was assisted by the last to come aboard. Kowalski arrived at the back of the group, along with two sealed crates. He dropped down next to Teresa and turned back to the door. It slid shut and protected them from the dangers of the final sealed entrance that was already closed. He didn’t waste any time and started to remove his armour suit. Two of the marines opened the crates to reveal a selection of electronic tools and weapons.
“I have two marines in position and watching the area being used for the trial.”
“Can we get in?” asked Teresa.
Sergeant Lovett shook his head.
“Not without forcing a head on confrontation. Hobbs is using the Captain’s lounge as the area. It’s guarded by a dozen marines, and the prisoners have been moved to an adjacent room.”
Khan listened carefully to what they were both saying. He looked surprisingly calm and collected, especially considering he was in charge of the assault team.
“Need evidence about Jötnar, then we fight,” he explained.
“I agree. Without it, we risk a rift in the fleet.”
“I might have something we can use. Sergeant Keller has offered his help in tracking down the truth.”
“What?” Teresa roared. She grabbed his arm, and he almost yelped from the pressure. He held her hand and pulled it away.
“Look, I’m well aware of what he has done and said. But he says he is suspicious about the Captain, and he thinks she might have other plans, not just revenge against Spartan.”
“I don’t like it. He turned on Spartan, so why not us?” said Kowalski.
“Either way, I’m meeting him back in the storage area about eighty metres further inside the ship. I’m supposed to be there in just less than twenty minutes. He thinks he can get the Captain to talk about the plan, maybe not everything, but enough to free Spartan and Gun, and even clear the Jötnar of murder.”
* * *
Teresa waited in the next corridor. She was wearing her civilian clothes, the standard overalls used by the crew on many civilian ships. She had considered wearing military clothing, but there was a chance some of the marines might recognise her. The subtle change to civilian might be just enough to throw the odd person off. It was a chance, but one worth taking. Kowalski was dressed in his off-duty uniform and looked like any other marine on the ship. The rest of the force was waiting in two separate positions at the rear of the ship. She looked at her datapad to the video and audio feed coming from the next room. Inside sat Sergeant Lovett and Sergeant Keller. They had been talking for more than ten minutes now.
“What do you think?” she asked, her voice low and as subtle as she could be.
Kowalski looked back,
and his face showed he was less than convinced with what he had heard so far. It was still an improvement since they had arrived, but until he heard something useful, she doubted he would change his mind.
“It does sound like he genuinely wants to help. I just hope he isn’t just playing us.”
“Yeah,” replied Teresa, “he really screwed us and the Vanguard over. Things were looking good before Euryale, but then he came down on us like a tonne of bricks.”
“Yeah, funny how that happened about the same time Hobbs came onto the scene with a vengeance. You think his plan will work?” whispered Kowalski.
Teresa shrugged and was about to speak, but he spoke first.
“The plan might work, if he can get Hobbs and the others away from the tribunal long enough to talk. It’s pretty risky, but I’m not sure we have any other options right now.”
On the screen they watched the conversation between the Sergeant and Marcus. It appeared to wind down and then completely stopped.
“What’s going on?” asked Teresa.
Almost on cue, Sergeant Lovett gave the hand signal to the camera. Teresa looked over to Kowalski. It was the hand gesture they had discussed earlier to confirm it was safe to enter the room.
“This is it then. Watch your back.”
“You too!”
They checked their sidearms and then walked along the narrow service corridor. It didn’t take long for them to reach the sealed security hatch that led inside. Teresa tapped on the side. The response was muted but almost instant. She tapped once more, and the hatch opened up. Kowalski moved inside first, his right hand resting on his holster.
“Kowalski, I didn’t expect to see you here,” exclaimed Marcus with genuine surprise. Teresa stepped out behind him but keeping at a safe distance.
“Teresa, I’m sorry about what...”
She cut him off before he could finish.
“Forget it. Just tell me if you honestly believe you can get her out of that tribunal for an hour.”
“I have an idea, but it’s going to be risky.”
“Risky for you or us?” she said sarcastically.
“Both. The only way she will leave is if she thinks it is too dangerous, or that we have something or somebody even more important. If I tell her I have Teresa in the brig, she will have to come and gloat. If nothing else, you would be the perfect bargaining chip to use against Spartan.”
Kowalski stepped forward and forced his forearm up into Marcus’ throat. He pushed hard until he had him pinned to the bulkhead. Marcus choked but refused to fight back.
“You expect us to hand her over to join the rest of the prisoners? Are you mad?”
Marcus said nothing, the pressure on his throat being sufficient to almost stop him breathing completely. Teresa stepped forward along with Sergeant Lovett. They stood in silence as Marcus choked on the obstruction.
“Stop,” said Teresa finally.
Marcus dropped to his knees, choking and gasping desperately for breath. The others stood still, waiting for him to recover.
“What do you suggest, then? You know she wants Spartan to suffer, with a passion. It’s more than that...” he coughed, still retching from being choked.
“I think she is using Spartan, and probably the Jötnar as well, for her own ends. If she is prepared to go that far, then there are only two options. One, it is for personal gain.”
“That sounds a bit farfetched,” said Kowalski.
Marcus nodded and then coughed again, lifting his hand up to his mouth.
“The second is much more sinister. She could be in league with the Union.”
“What?” Teresa asked. “You think the Captain could be working for the enemy?”
“Why else would all this be happening? Bishop and the Jötnar, well, that’s one thing. But Spartan gunning people down, is just not happening. If she is working for, or even helping, the Union, then what else has she done? This ship, fleet and battle are all in danger.”
Teresa stepped back with Kowalski and Sergeant Lovett. Marcus could see they wanted to talk and stayed where he was. They conferred for almost a minute, and at one point it looked as though Kowalski was going to hit Lovett. Eventually they returned to him. Teresa started to speak, but was stopped by Lovett.
“We’re not happy about this, Marcus. There’s a lot of distrust going on here. Teresa will take the chance, but, and this is a big but, if you screw us on this, you can forget about justice or the law. We’ll come after you with a passion.”
Marcus tried to placate them, gesturing downwards with his hands in deference.
“I know the risks. Don’t you think I’ll be strung up if Hobbs finds out I’ve been talking with you?”
“Well, that’s the chance you take for hanging out with scum like her. Now, let’s get to the details. What are you thinking?”
“Okay. We’ll stage a mock firefight somewhere a little more public. I’ll call for help and eventually knock you down.”
“Hey, you know she’s pregnant, don’t you?”
“What? Spartan?”
Teresa nodded slowly.
“Very well, we’ll take it slowly. Does Hobbs know?” he asked, a flicker of doubt now showing on his brow.
“How the hell would I know?” she countered.
“We need bugs. Without the intel we’ll have nothing.”
“Already on that,” mused Kowalski. He turned and walked to a case on the floor. With a gentle movement, he unclipped the security locks and lifted the lid. Inside were a variety of gadgets and devices, as well as two small pistols, each not unlike a derringer of antiquity. He pulled out a tiny capsule, no larger than a painkiller tablet. Teresa stepped forward, but Marcus put his hand in the way.
“No, you can’t be bugged.”
“Why not?” she demanded.
“Hobbs ain’t stupid. She trusts me, but not you. I guarantee you the first thing she’ll do is search you, and thoroughly. I’ve seen how she works, and she is nothing but a stickler for the rules.”
Kowalski nodded in agreement, but he appeared mortified at the suggestion she would be thoroughly searched. He had known Teresa for some time now and felt almost like a brother to her.
“Teresa, you don’t...” he started.
“It’s okay, I expected it might come to that. It’s a small price to pay,” she interrupted. “Let’s get this show on the road. We don’t have much time left, do we?”
“True,” answered Sergeant Lovett.
Marcus grabbed the tablet and swallowed it without pausing.
“Hey!” growled Kowalski. “I hope you took the right one.”
Marcus looked appalled, quickly realising that a kit like this would probably include suicide pills amongst other things. He looked at the case and back to a grinning Kowalski.
“You bastard,” he muttered.
Kowalski picked up his electronic monitoring gear as well as a cut down L48 carbine with a crudely fitted silencer. The others grabbed their own weapons and waited.
“This is it then, we’ll be monitoring what happens from one of our secure locations. It’s best we don’t tell you where. Just make sure you get something, anything out of her. Proof she is colluding with the enemy, or her plans for the Confederacy. Anything we can use. Until that happens, we can’t act. At least not without risking the lives of everybody on this ship.”
“Wait, how will you get the signal out to the rest of the crew?” asked Marcus.
Sergeant Lovett walked up to Marcus, his face directly in front of the Sergeant.
“Don’t worry about that. When the time comes, we’ll have the bridge. Just make sure you get the information out of her, understood?”
Marcus nodded.
“Let’s do this!” Teresa called to them.
She was first out of the door and out into the service corridor. Marcus followed her, but the rest stayed a good distance behind. They made their way through the rabbit warren of shafts and turns until reaching a crossroads.
“Wait, we’re nearly there,” whispered Marcus.
Teresa looked back, but there was no sign of the rest of her team. She placed her hand on Marcus’ forearm.
“You’re not gonna screw us now, are you?” she demanded.
“Trust me,” he answered. She was not reassured, but it would have to do.
* * *
Kowalski and Sergeant Lovett watched the two disappear around the final corner. They stopped, and Kowalski lifted up his datapad. The tracking device implanted in the bug was working and showed Marcus’ position in the ship.
“You realise there is one major flaw in this plan, don’t you?”
“Just one?” replied Sergeant Lovett.
“The bug only tells us where the Sergeant is. If he and Teresa are split up, we’ll lose her.”
“Well, we’d better make sure we stay close!”
Sergeant Lovett tapped his comms unit. It wasn’t the usual equipment they used and was far less powerful than normal. What it lacked in range, it made up for with focused directional control and encryption. The device would only work within one hundred metres of other connected units and was almost impossible to crack. As a real-time system, it was unsurpassed.
“Khan, you there?” asked Sergeant Lovett.
“Here,” came back the gruff reply. The audio quality was crackling slightly, and there was a delay of almost two seconds as the units at both ends performed complex encoding and decoding subroutines.
“Have you located the area being used to hold the prisoners?”
Again there was a short delay.
“Yes, we are one minute from target. Waiting your signal.”
Sergeant Lovett tapped Kowalski on the shoulder.
“They’re in position. All we need is the intel, and they can go in. What about the bridge? Can we take it with just the two of us?”
Kowalski lifted his datapad and placed it in front of them. It showed a detailed schematic of the ship.
“Where did you get that?”
Star Crusades Uprising: The Second Trilogy Page 51
