by Chris Hechtl
Takagi nodded. The coconut had three shells, one inside the other like Matryoshka dolls, Russian nesting dolls. The actual nut was about ten centimeters across and covered in hair like fibers. Inside the hard shell was a layer of bluish meat, and then purple jelly, and then the coconut liquor. Tiny seeds were in the meat. As the nut ripened the meat broke down into the sweet jelly. That in turn fermented due to the heat in the swamp, turning into the liquor. It was a fine balance picking the things, they tended to over ripen and explode after a while.
“Yeah, liquor. Not good.”
“Hell, it's great!”
“It's sweet. And it's alcohol. You want people buzzed on the job?”
“Hey, buzz isn't drunk.”
“If you feel it, your drunk. Doesn't matter. And that shit gives you one hell of a hangover. I know.”
“Yeah, Yuri said thoughtfully. “We could use it as cleaner.”
“No. We don't have the gear to bottle it.”
“We could make it. Replicate it.”
“Oh that's a lovely thought,” Takagi said. “Admiral, do you mind if we bump the hyperdrive back so we can make a bottle of hooch?”
Yuri shrugged. “Okay, just a thought.”
“Yeah. I do agree, it's worth processing. I'm hoping they picked these... he looked at the vines. The ends on the deck were actually in troughs. The troughs had brownish material inside. “Oh, good. They are keeping them alive. Waste?”
“Ew!”
“Whatever works.”
“I'm not drinking that then!”
“What, it's just recycling through a different path. Don't get all bent out of shape over it,” the Cargo Master said. He studied the set up and then nodded. They had them all together on one side of the compartment, all in rows. They had enough room to grow a little as they took on nutrients, but they didn't waste space. “Nice set up,” he rumbled, rubbing his jaw.
The funny thing was, the Gashg didn't care for the sweet jelly. It was good on crackers or toast, but Takagi didn't like that it turned his tongue purple. The Gashg had tripped over the export, or so he had heard. They liked the bitter rind. They would grind it up and use it as some sort of spice. He'd tried some of the coconut liquor mixed with ground up rind, the bitter had balanced out the sweet, but it had had a gritty feel to it and an aftertaste. Good for mouthwash maybe.
“So...”
“So for now, leave em. I'll check with Cookie. I think he's freezing pies and stuff now. I'm not sure if he's got the room for jelly too.”
“Okay.”
“And for goddess sake, keep the yahoos out. Do a count of the pods. I want the number. I'll check to make certain no one gets in and has fun.”
Yuri's face fell. Takagi hid a snort of satisfaction. “Yes sir.”
“Good man.” Takagi cocked his head as they left the compartment. “But... when we do breach them, remind me to be there with my saki glasses.”
Yuri turned to stare at him. Takagi smiled, put a finger along his nose and winked. Yuri blinked and then slowly smiled. “Aye aye sir,” he said more chipper. “If you don't mind me helping out with the taste testing,” he said.
“Of course you can help! We always need a second opinion!” The cargo master laughed as he clapped the other man on the shoulder.
<----*----*----*---->
Ian frowned as he studied the reports. He really had nothing to complain about, their people were pulling out all the stops to not only get everything done, but also to train. Doctor Glenn had been forced to order bed rest for some. A few had welcomed the hard work; it served as a great distraction and kept them busy. Exhaustion was a great way to sleep without nightmares too.
The AI had organized more formal classes now that the work was slowing down. Oh, there was of course always something to do, but they were pretty much finished with Bounty and the two corvettes. And short of building another warship, they were done with the others as well. Things were settling down to regular routine maintenance in engineering. He hadn't heard a peep or complaint from Sindri in days.
“Bored?” Sindri grumbled, knocking on the open hatch.
“Come in, you're out,” Ian said good-naturedly before he looked up. He waved the tablet. “No, just going over everything. We're fully fueled and stocked up. How is engineering?”
“Purring like a kitten. I meant I'm bored,” Sindri replied with an earthy chuckle.
“Well, can't have that,” Ian replied with a small smile. Sindri's face fell. “Have you been drilling everyone?”
“Aye,” Sindri replied warily.
“Well, then, I think we should have a battle sim. The Admiral's got a few for us to work on. And oh, cross training now that I think of it,” he said.
Sindri grumbled, stroking his beard. “Me and my big mouth,” he muttered.
“Yes?”
“Nothing,” the engineer grumbled.
<----*----*----*---->
Irons hit upon the idea to use excess material to make missiles. Destroyers were short ranged ships, and an Arboth was a specialist of the short ranged mindset. Irons preferred mass and a balanced approach. But in a situation like this firing from range and hammering a ship from multiple angles was preferred. Letting them get in close was just asking to get killed.
When they had taken the ship the magazines had been half full. Two of the missiles had been hold overs from the Federation, the rest had apparently been Horathian built. Now all the magazines were filled with proper Federation standard missiles once more. Missiles with the maximum range, pen-aides, and warheads he could come up with. D-239 missiles, the best for tin cans.
The tin can also lacked proper defenses in his opinion. The crew had made strides in correcting that, grafting in newly constructed point defense emitters onto the hull in strategic places, and then running the EPS lines and control lines to them when the ship had been rebuilt. But that still left their lack of munitions space and long-range firepower.
Irons solved that by making disposable missile packs. Each missile pack would be attached to the hull by explosive clamps. Each had six cells of missiles. The missiles were a mix, some packs were for long range fighting and some held counter missiles for defense. A few were stuffed with his toys.
“It seems you have no problem opening up your box of toys,” Sprite said. “At this rate we could build another warship.”
“No time,” the Admiral replied absently.
Sprite paused.”Don't tell me you already considered it!” she said in exasperation. She stared at him. He ignored the look and kept working.
“I did briefly,” he finally answered a few moments later. “But again, we lack the time and crew. But I did think of something else.”
“Oh?”
“A munitions ship.”
“A... munitions ship?”
“Yes. The pirate collier. Lassie. They'll expect it back. We'll stuff it full of gifts we can... hand out when it becomes time to do so,” he said slyly.
“Oh you, you are a wicked devil when you want to be!” Sprite said grinning. Irons chuckled as he worked.
Chapter 21
“I don't like it. It is a big fleet,” Sindri growled.
The Admiral grimaced. He'd assembled the staff once the missiles were completed. Once they were ready, he had secured the room and then shared Sprite's data on the enemy fleet with the staff. He had expected that response, any sane person would think twice about the force differential. They were insanely outgunned and out manned. The tonnage difference alone would have anyone else sweating bullets. Of course they didn't quite understand what he had in mind.
They had confirmed three known cruisers, one of each major class. A Garth class light cruiser, a venerable but still apparently useable Arrow class heavy cruiser/ escort carrier, and the flagship, the Queen Adrienne, a Newmann class Battlecruiser. There were at least four destroyers backing them up. An Antelope fast attack destroyer was confirmed, as were at least four Manta class frigates and six corvettes. There were an indete
rminate number of gunships and fighters as well as an ever-changing number of ships in the fleet train. And that didn't include any reinforcements they might have picked up.
“Based on the intelligence we have, the numbers keep going up, a clear sign of a classic force build up. They have received several ships from B103c5 since they arrived in Beta 101a1. Also fleet resupply convoys. Most likely the resupply is coming from stripping the nearby newly conquered systems of New Haven and Konohagakure. Our current estimates are tentative and likely to go up.”
“What are they waiting for?” Ian asked. “I mean, why don't they just attack?”
“It could be that he wishes to train each of the ships together as a group,” the Admiral replied.
Sprite shook her head. “Orders. The Admiral in charge, a Rear Admiral Javier Rico, is a by the book guy, unlike Cartwright. He isn't comfortable going out too far on a limb, and apparently risking his task force against an unknown is too much for him.”
“He likes easy prey. Where they don't fight back,” Sindri growled grimly. “He's used to it.”
“Pirates tend to do so,” the AI replied dryly. “All predators do.”
The Admiral drummed his fingers on the table loud enough to get everyone's attention. “So does the navy. You always want to not fight fair. Why let the enemy shoot back and get your people killed?” Irons asked. The officers stared at him. He shrugged. “Think about it people. It's part of war.”
“I don't know what's going on. I'm guessing something is up. Either he's waiting for a signal, or command authority, or... I don't know.”
“Could he be coordinating this attack with Cartwright?”
“I'm finding that hard to believe. In order to do so they'd have to send ships up chain to wherever Cartwright's forces are, and then have some sort of timetable? We'd see ships going back and forth through the system,” Irons said. “We haven't seen that.”
“That might be what they had Phoenix in mind for actually,” Sindri said thoughtfully.
The Admiral nodded. “True. Which means he might be waiting on us. Or something else. Unfortunately, the corvette had the updated orders, and it's a nebula.”
“Right. We don't know.”
“And, that's what worries some,” Sprite said. “The not knowing part. But part of being an officer is learning to use what you've got. Go with what you know at the time, and accept what happens.”
“Yeah well, we'll see. Right now we've got some ships to fix up. And some training to do.”
<----*----*----*---->
The Admiral outlined his plan and contingency plans. Part of that plan was for Phoenix to go in first to draw the pirates off and into a trap of their own making. The rest relied heavily on Nata'roka and luck.
“You've had this in mind the entire time.”
“Yes. I want to do a spoiler raid. Get in as close as we can, then show our true colors as we blast as many as we can into wreckage, then run like hell for the Pyrax jump point. Jump for Pyrax, then turn around on exit and rally Firefly and the ships there to our aid.”
“Hit them as they come out on exit,” Ian replied, nodding. “Damaged, out of order and confused.”
“Yes.”
“I like it. Could work. If it does, we can come back and relieve Hidoshi's World and Captain Hoshi.”
“That too.”
<----*----*----*---->
Irons trained Lieutenant Peters and his collier crew on the duty he needed them to perform for his plan to work. Engineering crews from all the ships worked overtime to outfit the collier ship with some milspec hardware and overhaul its systems like all the other ships.
They modified the ship for its intended role, cutting open her hull and then adding doors for quick release of the packs. Once that was finished they cut holes for point defense laser clusters to give the ship some defenses. She was outfitted with the additional lidar and radar arrays along with a full battlecruiser's fire control system. But the crew knew she was still a paper tiger. The Admiral's heart swelled with pride when all of them volunteered for the mission.
<----*----*----*---->
Dita, Meia, and Ezri trained until exhaustion in the Cobras and in the simulators. Sometimes Dita could barely keep her head up as they ate in the mess. Holly was concerned but the red head just gave her a wan smile and waved that she was okay.
“They are tired,” Holly said to Marty. She was concerned. Everyone was tired and overworked. She was surprised no one had broken by now.
“Who isn't?” he asked. “I can barely lift my fork. We're all working to get this done. Working our tails off.”
“Why?” Holly replied, face working as she fought the urge to cry.
“So we can make sure this doesn't happen again,” Marty said. “To us or to others. It's the least we can do,” he said, hugging her shoulders and kissing her hair. She shook a bit but then hugged him back.
<----*----*----*---->
Admiral Irons sent T12783 the second collier, Deianira, and the tanker off with a marine team under Lieutenant Lewis to do what they could to liberate Hidoshi's World. They would remain there until he got word back to them. They would have a short platoon, little more than thirty Marines to do the job. Hopefully they would pick up some help from the natives.
They would also be short on air power, though the ships would hold the high ground. He was sending along an armed Skyhawk with them. Unfortunately they didn't have a Warhawk to send. They would have to make due, capture or destroy the enemy shuttles in the initial attack and then keep the high ground. At least they had a squad of powered armor to use, three squadrons of mech, another four squadrons of drones of various makes, and all the marines had front line equipment. Hopefully they would train with the drones enough to use them to the best of their abilities when they arrived on planet. They certainly had enough motivation to do so, since they would be outnumbered on the ground and in the air.
Worrying about the Marines didn't bother him, it was part of being in command. What did bother him were the disposition of the civilians and Captain Hoshi's plan. It seemed reckless. Even more reckless than his own plan.
“Are you sure about this Captain?” the Admiral asked Captain Hoshi. Hoshi had insisted on taking her ship on her own journey. She didn't want to be trapped in Hidoshi.
“As I ever will be. We'll head North up chain to Beta 99 and then over to Richalu to warn them. I've got some people I know there. Friends. I don't want what happened to us, to Hidoshi's World, to happen to them,” she said, looking away from the camera.
The Admiral studied the woman before he nodded slowly. He was fairly certain she wanted to get out of the line of fire. He couldn't blame her. “There is no guarantee it's safe there Captain.”
She laughed bitterly. “There are no guarantees in life at all Admiral,” she replied with a shrug. “We'll do our best. If we can run, we will. At least we'll get the word out.”
“All right,” the Admiral said nodding. “I suggest if the pirates do show you get your people down and hide. Blow the ship.”
“Definitely,” Hoshi replied grimly. “One dose of Horathian hospitality is enough for a lifetime,” she said. The Admiral nodded.
“Good luck sir,” she said quietly. She straightened and saluted. The Admiral felt a flicker of surprise run through him. Still, he nodded and then returned the salute.
“And to you too ma'am. Good luck and safe sailing,” he said. “May the spirits of space be with you.”
“And to you too Admiral,” she replied as she closed the circuit.
<----*----*----*---->
Once the last ship had left the system he set his plan in motion.
When he judged they were ready to depart they formed up on the Beta 101a1 jump point. They would do a lot of training and additional repairs while in transit, but for now, he had something to tell them.
The Admiral ordered a day of rest for all the ships. They had been working almost nonstop for over ten weeks. Many of the personnel were glad
for the break, but some were confused and annoyed by the mandatory downtime. Near the end of the day shift a few fights broke out.
The next morning the naval ships docked together in a daisy chain. The Admiral had the crew from all the ships assemble in the cleared boat bay on Bounty. Officer and enlisted alike reported for duty in full formal uniform. They griped over the requirement, questioned its importance, but many smiled when they noted what they and their fellows looked like.
“It almost looks like we know what we're doing! Like we actually belong in these uniforms!” Sindri joked.
“That's because we do. But we've still got a long time before we'll ever be comfortable in them,” Ian said. He stood at parade rest as the steward went through the row of officers; inspecting each and helping them adjust or correct issues.
When both officers and enlisted alike were ready they fell into the boat bay. The podium and flags were set up once more. “This isn't going to be another blinding speech is it?” Sindri asked. “I don't have any sunshades handy,” he said.
“No,” Sprite replied from the overhead. “And it's nice to see you Commander,” she said.
“And you ma'am,” Sindri replied with a polite nod as he looked up. Sprite took the hint and appeared on her holo projector near the podium.
“There, this better?” she asked, smiling. He smiled back in appreciation. That simple gesture made her feel on top of the world.
When the noncom lecterns had them organized neatly in rows the Admiral signaled he was ready. “Atten hut!” the bosun called, getting their attention. Together almost as one the group snapped to.
The Admiral marched through the rows and then came to the podium. He saluted the colors. “Crew salute!” the bosun said in a deep voice. The crew snapped crisp salutes to the flag, waiting for the anthem to end.
When the refrain faded the assembly struck their salute. The Admiral turned smartly. “I'm going to make this short and sweet,” he said, hands behind his back. He surveyed the group. They looked nervous, excited, bored. He recognized all the faces, even a little fear. He accepted it.
“Tomorrow, we jump for Beta 101a1 and destiny. I don't say that lightly, there is a good chance some of us won't survive. Accept that. The enemy out numbers us... and out guns us. But we have something they do not. We are the Federation Navy. We are the shield wall that protects the civilians from enemies. We are the best and we're damn well going to prove it,” he growled.
