by C. R. Daems
"Welcome to Freeland. I'm Captain Reese, the station commander. We're not here to punish the clans of Freeland. They have already been punished. We are here to monitor the Freeland Treaty. You should consider the clans as on probation. Part of that probation requires us to monitor outgoing and incoming traffic…" I spent the next two hours covering my directives. "Personnel has done their best to match your specialties with the personnel you replaced, but the section chiefs of the Merlin, Bobcat, and Lynx are going to make the final determination. When your name is called report to station one, located on your right. Welcome aboard."
I left the makeshift stage and found Varisko. "XO, set up a meeting with Alena, Wachal, and Ommen for tomorrow. I'll be in security if you need me." I turned and headed for the off limits hallway leading to the Intelligence unit. When the two security guards on duty finished their cursory inspection of my ID, I entered the room. It resembled the Bridge with its multiple control panels and monitors. It was first shift and almost all the positions were filled. Chief Drock was first to notice me, and came walking over.
"I understand you've earned your second knot." I said noticing a slight limp when he walked.
"Good morning, Captain. You mean my second battle ribbon." He smiled. "Si'jin is brutal but surprisingly relieves ones tension. I understand why you love it."
"I assume Commander Iglis is in her office?" When he nodded, I gestured for him to follow me. I knocked once and entered.
Iglis came rocketing out of her chair. "Captain!"
"Relax, Commander." Although, the Intelligence unit on any cruiser was independent and not under a captain's command, I had used my previous success while working with Intelligence to find the Raiders to get Iglis's temporary Commander's rank made permanent. She had been smiling ever since. "How's your surveillance of the merchant ships going?"
"I've been checking the black boxes we installed on each ship and the data has been consistent with their logs. We've found no deviations and the captains have been very cooperative in answering any questions we've had. The best part is they are supplying us with information on activities within the JPU and UFN. We now have our own spy network in both empires." Iglis was bubbling with excitement. "I already know more about the two empires than SAS Intelligence. Before long, I’ll know their military strength and the type of ships and missiles they have."
"To be honest, Captain, I was skeptical when you allowed the merchants to continue trading outside of the SAS. I shouldn't have been. You have a sixth sense when it comes to the Raid … clans. It's paying off big time. I still find it hard to believe how cooperative they've been," Drock said. Iglis nodded agreement.
I nodded as I thought over her report. "Since it's working so well, why don't you contact SAS Security, letting them know of your success and see if they'll install a Comstat in Freeland." Although Iglis didn't report to me any longer, I think she thought she did or should.
"You’re right. I'll bet they'll jump at the idea. Their network in the two empires is little better than hearsay and rumors." Iglis grinned. I stayed to have kaffa and reminisce about times pass. I missed being part of the Intelligence operation and poking around in the equipment.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Paid trouble makers
"Hey, Nik, have you had any success getting on the inspection team?"
"Yeah. Chief Wilderson said I'd be one of the people responsible for inspecting the cargo on the next incoming merchant. That should provide an opportunity to earn our bonus." Nik laughed, flipping a hundred-credit chip into the air and catching it behind his back. "What about you?"
"Naw. I've been talking it up with some of the new crew about how my brother was killed by Raiders and my sister raped."
"Jako. Your brother's alive and you don't have a sister."
"So what? The idea is to get some of the others to do our work for us. The madder we can make them at the Raiders the more likely they'll cause trouble. That ten thousand-credit bonus is dependent upon creating an incident that will force Eden to get involved. Better if someone else is blamed for it than us."
"Have you heard anything from Bors or Julius? They maybe in a better positioned than us to earn the big bonus. We certainly don't have access to Reese."
"Bors is on the Bobcat, working in the weapon's unit, but Julius is on the Lynx, in Shuttle maintenance."
"That sounds promising."
"We've already been paid five hundred, even if we can't earn a bonus."
"At least, I want the smaller bonus. I've already pissed away two hundred."
"Your luck run out with the dice? Or fast women?"
"A little of both. Too much free time before we left. But I'll tell you, Jako, I don't think we want to return to Eden with no results. Our benefactor won't appreciate us taking his money and not working for it. And he'd consider no results as not working for it. You don't want to disappoint him. He's connected to some nasty folks."
"Guess that means we'll have to earn those bonuses."
CHAPTER NINE
New Bridge crew
I had just closed the door to my office behind me, when one of my security guards knocked and opened it a crack.
"Ma'am, the XO informs me that Commanders Alena, Wachal, and Ommen have arrived."
"Thank you, Corporal."
"Attention," Varisko said as I entered the conference room. I hated the pomp and ceremony, but understood it was necessary to maintain order in the military world.
"Welcome to the Lynx. As you are aware by now, you will be replacing the Bridge personnel who just rotated. Commander Ommen, you will have Communications, Commander Wachal, Radar, and Commander Alena, ECM."
Alena sat there with her mouth open, as I hadn't had a chance to talk to her.
“I know this assignment will probably be very boring, since we have no one to chase and no one trying to kill us, but I expect everyone to work out in the simulator regularly. One never knows." I shrugged. "Any questions?"
There was none, but I spent two hours talking about the clans, the task force's responsibilities, and my directives around the treaty. It gave me a chance to get to know the new commanders.
Wachal was an elderly man who had over twenty-five years service. He was slightly overweight, with thinning hair, and jowls, but he was quick witted and appeared to know his job. He was excited to be on a Hunter, looking forward to working around the Riss, and learning Symath, as it applied to Navigation. Ommen was a Lt. Commander with minimum time in grade. He was qualified in Communications and had some experience at Radar. He looked in good condition, with curly dark brown hair, a neatly trimmed mustache, and a long thin face. I suspected he was a woman's man and this would be a long tour with no planet-side leave. I asked Alena to stay after the meeting ended.
"How are you enjoying Freeland? I'm sorry we haven't had much time to talk. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. I'm moving you around because you need experience in different positions and ships."
"It's great. Ever since I've been sailing with you, life has been wonderful. Before that, it was a nightmare, not only the prejudice but also not having any support. I was alone in a sea a hate." Her face lost its smile. "I don't know if I'm ready to be the primary ECM officer. Captain Corbitt had me apprenticing at ECM, Weapons, and Communications, but I only had a couple of months at each station."
"Alena, I'm going to work you until you drop. In less than a year, the Mnemosyne will be ready, and the year after that the Eirene. You will command that ship."
"What?" Alena looked ready to run or hide or both. "Me?"
"Yes, you. The Riss-humans will initially be the captains of the Riss cruisers. I’ll captain the Mnemosyne and you the Eirene. So, I expect you to be ready and that will require hard work. Do you understand?"
"Yes Nadya… Captain Reese… Leader."
"I know you
don't feel ready, and you won't be because it's coming too fast. But you, like me, have no option. The Riss need us now, not ten or twenty years from now." I felt sorry for Alena, but she was the most logical person to take the Eirene.
"I understand. Ma'at, Quiet Night under the Moon, and I will do whatever is required. Thank you for your support and faith in me. I won't let you or the Riss down."
CHAPTER TEN
Inspection problems
The next several months slipped by without a major incident. Da'Maass continued to assure me the project was proceeding on schedule. The few times I visited, the buildings looked like junkyards. Components lay everywhere in no discernible order. The pieces had irregular surfaces, and most were covered with a black fungus-like texture. I was nervous. Last week, he had informed me that the components were being delivered to the space station and assembly had begun.
* * *
I was in my office, looking over reports when my SID lit with Varisko's face.
"Yes, XO?"
"Skipper, I think there may be a problem on the Lost Traveler. I haven't got all the details yet, but apparently, the army had to intervene between a navy inspector and the merchant. And there was a shooting. Captain Corbitt said he'd update you a soon as he had the specifics."
"Let me know when he calls. I'm going for breakfast." I decided it was best to occupy myself until he called, so I went to the navy dining hall. Commander Marken was sitting at one of the tables when I entered. He waved me over.
"What do you think, Skipper?" he asked as I sat down, obviously referring to the recent incident.
"It's sort of like the army. They train to fight, but mostly they sit around bored, hoping for action. Then there's a battle and they wish for boredom. I hope for boredom." I had vivid memories of the army after boarding actions against the raiders. War looked good only in the history books, written by people who had never had to kill or watch others being killed.
"If you don't mind me asking, are you going to let us see the new Riss cruiser?"
"Yes, I promise I'll give you and the staff a tour of the Mnemosyne as soon as the hull is finished and another when she's operational."
After breakfast, I decided to visit the Bridge, although I knew Varisko would have notified me if Corbitt had contacted her. I was right, nothing new had happened, so I went to my office and sat reviewing the Mnemosyne's design plans—again. I felt like I imagined a five-month pregnant woman must feel, dying to have it over so she could see the baby—in my case, the Mnemosyne.
"Skipper, Corbitt is on the Comm," Varisko said, using the override on my SID. “I've had him transferred to your SID.”
Corbitt sounded grim. "Captain, we had an incident on the Lost Traveler. How would you like to handle it?"
"I'd like you to conduct the investigation and send me your findings. Until I've reviewed your findings, hold the Lost Traveler in orbit. Be thorough but expedite your investigation."
"Yes, ma'am. Corbitt out."
After waiting all afternoon, I decided to take a break—from doing nothing— and visit Terril. I had just reached the workout area, when Varisko called.
"Skipper, it's Captain Corbitt. I'm transferring him to your SID."
"Captain Reese, I finished my investigation and have sent you my findings—marked For Your Eyes Only."
"Can you give me a quick synopsis?"
"Yes, ma'am. A petty officer third class broke one of the merchant's vases, valued at three hundred credits. The sailor claimed he dropped it by accident. The Wasp on duty wasn't sure one-way or the other. However, when the merchant called the sailor an idiot, the sailor picked up another vase and threatened to smash it. One of the Wasps told him to put it down or he'd shoot him. He told the Wasp to go to hell and turned on the merchant, screaming the clans were all murderers. Just then, another sailor attacked the merchant calling him a murderer and rapist. The Wasps shot both men in their legs, put them in restrains, and sent them back under guard." Corbitt paused for a sip of water.
"What did the merchant do?" Silly, but I crossed my fingers.
"As far as I can tell, he did nothing except to call the sailor who broke his vase an idiot. When the one attacked him, he backed away. The sailor who physically attacked the merchant claimed another sailor's brother had been killed by the raiders and his sister raped."
"How do you plan to proceed?" I asked.
"I'd like to verify the sailor’s story about his brother and sister. That doesn't justify either of their actions, but it may influence my recommended punishment. I think we should let the merchant proceed to the space station. And I'd like to talk to Colonel Babbert before I consider whether the Wasp used appropriate force."
"Thank you, Captain. I concur with all your recommendations. Let me know when you've reached a decision." I itched to get involved but Corbitt was handling it well.
* * *
At his request, Corbitt met with me several days later.
"Ma'am, we checked on Petty Officer Jako's records. He has a brother but no sister and his family’s planet, Backdoor, has never been raided. So, we checked further and found his brother was alive and well. A subsequent search of his locker turned up three one hundred-credit chips issued on an Eden bank. His ship account has never had more than a hundred in it over the past several years." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa and seemed to be waiting for my comments.
"Sounds like he was paid to cause problems. I assume he's been spreading the rumor about his brother and sister to all his friends, who will have spread it to their friends and so on." It didn't surprise me. Hate seemed to be a natural human emotion. "And the Wasp?"
Corbitt smiled "I talked to Colonel Babbert. We discussed your concerns and the army's commitment to you, and agreed they were only following orders. I came away impressed with the respect you command with the army." He seemed to study me while he waited.
"I concur. Every day I'm glad to have you and Captain Pavao on station. It's going to take good people like you if this Treaty is going to succeed."
I invited Varisko and had Pillon serve dinner. Afterward we sat around discussing our careers and past assignments. I enjoyed myself and felt I was beginning to know Corbitt the person, not just Corbitt the Captain.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Errant missile
The days and weeks settled into a monotonous routine. The three merchant ships went and arrived approximately every three months. On the way out, we checked the cargo area against the ship's manifest, conducted a visual check of all compartments, and documented the names of the crewmembers.
On arrival, we went through the same procedure, checking the results against the record we had made when they departed. The black box was collected and Iglis verified it against the ship's log. It was all very boring since the records so far were always in agreement. And the inspections went smoothly. The merchants remained cooperative and the navy inspectors cautious under the watchful eye of the army—more so because of the incident on the Lost Traveler.
"Captain on the Bridge," Varisko said as I entered.
"Anything new?" I asked hoping for something to do.
"The Merlin has finished the inspection of the Wheeler and has released it for transit to Ruchild in the SAS. It should pass us in about—"
"Captain Reese! The Bobcat just fired a missile!"
"Comm, get me a line to the Bobcat. Radar, where's that missile heading?"
"The Wheeler!"
