Garrett jerked his arm back. "We can't just let them take her!"
I shook my head. "We won't. Just watch."
As the Grotus ship pulled in close it slowed to a stop.
The Grotus comm officer said, "Identify yourself and prepare to be boarded!"
Joni replied, "Have you ever been to Bolitha?"
The comm officer responded, "What?"
A portal sweep originated just in front of the Grotus ship. Two seconds later it was gone. We came within comm range of the Ares.
Garrett was angry. "You swept them away? They could have blasted you right there!"
Joni replied, "Relax. I had it covered. They wanted to know who I was and what I was doing here. Now they at least know one of those."
Garrett scowled. "I don't like you taking chances like that. You could have just jumped to safety behind us."
Joni smiled. "Sorry about the drama, but the accuracy of the jumps on this thing aren't that good. I could have ended up six hours away and you might have never found me."
Jack said, "You sent them to Bolitha?"
Joni nodded. "Or somewhere thereabouts. We'll probably never know."
I replied, "If you perform a scan while the portal is open, you can gather data from the destination point. That would have let you know if it was near Bolitha or not."
Joni tilted her head to the side with a half smile. "Good to know. Now, I would suggest to you that if anyone wants to come over here to see this thing, now would be a good time. If that ship went to Bolitha, they will know our new location, so we should be moving out of here in the next couple hours."
Garrett asked, "What happened with the AIs? Did the blocking work?"
Joni replied, "I didn't want to chance it, so I powered back to aft and took out the two back there before working my way forward. That's what took me so long to jump. Excellent job on the blocking signal, by the way. The AIs on here didn't attempt to do anything when I powered that on. And if you're worried about them, don't. I took them all out by hand since. This ship has about ten thousand bots on it, but they've got no commander. I know, I turned the blocking signal off."
Garrett stepped in front of Jack. "Joni! Turn that back on! We're pulling alongside and the AIs on here are active!"
Garrett scrambled to activate the signal on his arm pad.
Joni replied, "Why are you getting so excited? Relax, I turned the blocker back on."
Go came over the comm: "Thanks for whoever just did that. Now, could someone come give me a hand? I've only got one arm on. The bots just dropped me on the floor and I'm kind of tangled up in them."
Garrett took a deep breath. "Sure, I'll be right there."
Jack stood. "Garrett, why don't you and Knog take the Jess over to the Ares. I'll give Go a hand... or leg, or whatever he needs."
I looked at Garrett. "Get your helmet on and let's go."
Joni came over the comm: "You won't need a helmet. Deck eight has a docking bay that will fit the Jess. I'll drop the gravity wall for you."
I walked down the ramp-way of the Jess, stepping onto the deck of the Ares. The bay was clean, looking as if no other ship had ever landed in her.
Joni blinked in just in front of us with a grin. "Welcome to the Ares."
Garrett stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and attempting a kiss.
Joni laughed. "Whoa, hold on there, soldier!"
Garrett released. "Sorry, I haven't been able to control my nerves all day."
Joni removed her helmet and pulled him close for a long kiss.
When the embrace ended, Joni said, "I'm flattered, and I think it's really sweet you are so worried. But you need to get a grip. This is the world we live in, and it will be like this for the foreseeable future. So man up."
Garrett stepped back, taking a deep breath. "OK, got it. Won't happen again."
I looked at Garrett with a raised eyebrow.
Garrett replied, "What? You have a wife. You can't tell me you don't follow orders."
Joni changed the subject. "Come on. Take a look at this bridge. They spared no expense, that's for sure. Except for the dull gray color of the interior, everything is sleek. The only thing I find annoying is they removed all the seating. It was designed to be run by Humans. Those bots don't need a place to sit."
Joni showed us each of the consoles. We were then taken on a quick tour of the generators, finishing the show with a look at the crew deck.
Joni said, "The stores are fully stocked, and this deck was made for about a hundred crewmen. If it was just us on here, we could live for years without needing resupply."
Chapter 10
* * *
Two hours after catching up to Joni, it was decided that we should move on. Our first mission would be to the Tamarin worlds. If we were going to use the Ares we would need cesium for the generators. A trade contract would be in order.
The Garmon was moved out in front of the Ares and the portal sweep activated. Seconds later, we were half a day's flight from Parmesen. I took out the Jess as the others waited. As I approached the planet, two warships came out to confront me. I was taken aboard and confined to a brig cell.
Four hours of captivity passed before Darba Wampros was standing before me. "Mr. Beutcher, we have much to discuss."
I nodded. "I haven't been back to Odenta, but I heard the news."
Darba slowly lowered and raised his head in condolence. "We lost forty ships and crew in the short battle that followed."
I replied, "You are lucky the rest were able to escape. And I have news for you. We encountered a Grotus ship coming this way. It was headed directly toward your world that is closest to the Kergan systems. I believe it was a scout ship, but the Grotus, and the Alliance, and the Kergans all know where you are."
Darba nodded. "I shall pass that information to our defense council. Now, I must insist we move on to more pressing matters. We have a trade contract between us that was not honored. Generally, you would be arrested and taken to Parmesen where you would stand before a tribunal. Given the circumstances surrounding this breach of contract, I have been given the opportunity to speak with you first."
I gestured for the diplomat to sit. "I think we both know that contract would be impossible to fulfill. I'm sorry, but it's the hard truth."
Darba frowned. "I like you, Mr. Beutcher. But the tribunal will not care. You either deliver on the contract, or you will be tried for wanton breach. And be forewarned, the penalty for wanton breach is death. You must realize that the Tamarin Corporation is out a substantial amount of grain, grain that we delivered to your people, grain that was consumed."
I sighed. "Look, Darba, we can discuss what has happened all day. The grain is not coming back, the Odentas are not coming back. However, I believe there is still room for profit in our relationship."
Darba returned a skeptical look. "Go on."
I sat back in my chair. "You were interested in our autominers. What if we were to sign a superseding contract that gave you full access to the autominer technology?"
The diplomat's eyes lit up. "You have my attention, Mr. Beutcher. Please continue."
I said, "We will lease the design of the autominers to you, in exchange for cesium."
Darba tilted his head in question. "Cesium? What quantities are we talking here, Mr. Beutcher?"
I smiled, "All you can deliver. We have a current need of twelve thousand tonnes."
Darba pulled back. "Twelve thousand tonnes! I am not an authority on ore commodities, Mr. Beutcher, but I would have to believe that number is significant. Probably of as much value as the palladium you were supposed to deliver."
I held up my hand. "With use of the autominers you should be able to provide us with an abundant supply. And I have one other offer that I would like to throw your way. We will make every effort to recover the already mined palladium and platinum from Odenta. If it remains, it's yours."
Darba shook his head. "I'm afraid the trade board would not sign off on s
uch an offer, Mr. Beutcher."
"Why not?" I asked.
Darba continued, "It is far too generous in our favor. Where are the profits for you, Mr. Beutcher? The deal is far too unbalanced."
I laughed, "You are a strange people, Darba. OK, so how do we structure this deal so that it is doable? We need cesium."
The diplomat stood and paced as he rubbed his chin. "You would be giving the autominer design to us. That would mean that construction of the miners would be up to us. There would be no benefit to you to assist in their construction. Do you have any other needs, Mr. Beutcher?"
I thought for a moment. "Would you have a habitable planet in the corporation where we could set up a base of operations? I may be in need of a temporary home for my Talisans. They were taken from Odenta, but not killed. If I can free them, I will need a temporary home for them."
Darba cocked his head to one side. "We do have a small world in one of our systems. It is cold, although it has a breathable atmosphere. It may be suitable for a temporary colony. Could I assume the Talisans would require food?"
I nodded, "You could assume that."
Darba sat down in his chair. "I will have to discuss this with the trade board, Mr. Beutcher. I believe there may be a workable solution in such a deal."
I smiled. "Good. Can I go back to my ship now?"
Darba frowned. "Oh, I'm afraid not, Mr. Beutcher. We first have to prepare your defense for the trial. I believe the board wants that to begin first thing in the morning. You are being taken to the trade complex on Parmesen. But don't be alarmed, you will be well represented."
I replied, "Can't we just work up a new contract and sign it?"
Darba shook his head. "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Mr. Beutcher. You must first be tried for the current breach. During sentencing, we will introduce the new offer and seek a pardon for your prior malfeasance."
I held up my hands. "So I have to be convicted first? That doesn't leave me with a comfortable feeling. I am here trying to make things right, Mr. Wampros. Can't we work from there?"
Darba shook his head. "I'm afraid this is the only way, Mr. Beutcher. Laws are laws, and if they are ignored, well, society breaks down into chaos. We are a well-ordered people, Mr. Beutcher. The process means everything to us. Just bear with me and we will get you through this trial."
Darba stood and then stopped in the doorway. "I can move you to a private room, Mr. Beutcher. I see no need for confinement. Give me a few minutes to make the arrangements."
I nodded. "I am fine here, Mr. Wampros, but if you insist, I won't argue."
Darba smiled before turning away. "I insist."
I was taken to a stateroom. I noticed a guard taking up position outside the door as it was closed. The room was well equipped. The bed was large and comfortable. I resigned myself to getting some rest.
Joni blinked in. "A trial, really? That's ridiculous."
I quickly scanned the room, to which Joni held up her hand. "Already checked, there are no cameras in here. This cabin would be for a dignitary, and they would not be happy with cameras in a private space. So, what are we going to do here?"
I replied, "We are going to wait for the trial."
Joni winced. "You sure that's a good idea? It sounds to me like you will be convicted. You want to chance having them lop off your head?"
I smiled. "I don't think that will happen. The autominers would be a huge asset and profit driver for them. And this would be our solution to our cesium problem."
Joni sat in a chair. "You sure they even have cesium? Most worlds don't have it in significant quantity. That's why my uncle had to make the deal with the Golarians."
I nodded. "Darba didn't seem to think it would be an issue."
Joni replied, "We don't fully know Darba's motives, either. If you want to go through this trial, then that's what we'll do. In the meantime, I'll be planning a way to get you out of here. We'll have to make it back to the Jess, and I'll have to shut down the power systems on this ship and the other one. That won't be easy."
I held up a hand. "Don't bother. Remember, the trial will be down on the surface at their trade complex."
Joni frowned. "I can't plan anything for there until I see it. And how would we get you back to the Jess?"
I replied, "I don't think we can. If they convict me and then decide against a deal, we'll have to get creative."
Joni sat back in her chair. "We have the Ares. If we have to use it we will. But we would have to scrap any thoughts of friendly relations with these people. They would never trust us again."
I thought for a moment. "If you want to spend your time planning for the worst, see if you can come up with something that will cost them profits. We don't want to harm anyone, but we could make the price of my conviction expensive."
Joni half smiled. "I'll get to work on that as soon as we get there."
The warship that carried us went straight to the surface. I was loaded onto a shuttle as the ship hovered just above the trade complex. Once on the ground, I was taken to a room where two Tamarins proceeded to image almost every part of me. An attempt was made to draw blood, but was given up on after two needles failed to penetrate my thick hide. I was then moved down a hall and into a large chamber. Eleven Tamarin trade ministers, wrapped in gold linen, sat at a high curved table, looking down at the large gray alien who had broken contract. I was shown to a chair.
Darba Wampros entered the chamber wearing a long green robe. "Ministers! My name is Darba Wampros. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to defend Mr. Beutcher. I feel strongly that our discussion here today will lead to an acquittal, or at a minimum the extension of the contract in question. I thank you for your time."
Darba bowed slowly as he stepped backward into a cutout in the wall to the left of the chair where I was seated.
The prosecutor, wearing a bright red robe, walked in from the other side. "Ministers of trade, I stand before you today just as I have many times before."
The prosecutor glanced at Darba with a smug look before continuing: "Today, I will show that the defendant, Mr. Beutcher, knowingly signed a contract that he knew he could not fulfill, while taking delivery of a valued commodity. I will show that the defendant acted with willful disregard for our contract laws. And that he knew of the possibility of an enemy attack on his world, and yet did not provide provisions in the contract for said attack. The terms of this contract, I might add, would have significantly changed if that information had been known."
The prosecutor bowed as he stepped backwards into an identical cutout in the wall to my right.
The trade ministers reviewed the pre-provided arguments of both sides for several minutes before a hand wave told us to proceed.
The prosecutor stepped forward and turned to face me. "Mr. Beutcher, did you know there was a possibility that Odenta would be attacked?"
I replied, "Yes, but I thought it no more likely than an attack on Parmesen."
The prosecutor sighed. "Mr. Beutcher, I believe the rules of this court have been fully explained. Please limit your answers to 'yes' or 'no'. Let the record show that the defendant answered with a yes. Now, given your history with the New Alliance—your own people, by the way—given that history, would you say you acted in good faith when you signed the contract in question?"
I looked at Darba, who nodded. "Yes."
The prosecutor smiled. "Excellent. Now, I see here in the disclosures section you made mention of the Grumar and Grotus as having attacked the Odenta world. There is no mention of the New Alliance. Is that true?"
I replied, "Yes."
I glanced at Darba, who was standing still.
The prosecutor continued, and I responded with the short, one-word responses. It became apparent I was being forced into a conviction. Darba followed with his defense. As he asked questions, I felt as though I was being defended by an amateur. My faith in Darba had been sorely misplaced.
The initial defense was followed by another prosecuto
rial round in which I fared worse. After closing arguments were given, I was escorted from the room as the board of trade ministers convened.
Once in the hallway I grabbed Darba Wampros by the shoulder. "That didn't go well for me in there."
Darba smiled and nodded. "Nor did I expect it to. According to the letter of the law, you violated contract by failing to deliver. Were there extenuating circumstances? Yes. Those, however, should have been written into contingency options where both sides would at least be minimally protected from loss. You signed no contingencies."
I replied, "How do you write a contingency for an attack of twelve thousand ships?"
Darba waved his hand. "It doesn't matter, Mr. Beutcher. All that matters is our arbitration attempt during sentencing. This is where I will lay out terms of your confinement to the sentencing judge and present the new contract proposal. I am very excited about the possibility of a lease of those autominers. Their potential for cheaply harvesting resources is almost limitless!"
I furrowed my brows. "Wait. Back up. You mentioned my confinement. What are you talking about?"
Darba gestured for me to sit in a chair in the hallway. "You didn't think you would come away with no penalty at all, did you? What justice would be served by that?"
I replied, "You made no mention of a penalty before."
Darba smiled. "I suppose I thought that was a given. And you won't have to worry about that confinement for long. I would say, if we get the autominer contract, you would spend at most two years in our prison system. And given the circumstances, that would be minimum security with visitation privileges by your friends or family."
I rolled my eyes. "I wish you had made this clear before we got here, Darba. I can't spend time in confinement, I have a war to fight out there, a fight that will also benefit your people. Either I am set free or the deal is off. Believe me when I say it will not be profitable for the Tamarin Corporation if this happens."
Darba shook his head. "Mr. Beutcher, I must ask you to not talk that way. I worked hard all morning with the prosecutor to take the death penalty off the table. It took a lot of convincing that this new deal would more than make up for his sense of lost justice over seeing you eventually walk. The corporation is out many tonnes of grain that will not be recovered. This small sacrifice on your part will square things up. And might I say, if the autominers work as I think they will, this whole episode could eventually be expunged from your record."
OMEGA Brutal Page 10
