* * *
Chapter Seventeen
~ March 4th, 2287 ~
When the Justice arrived at its established destination, Sydnee asked Colonel Dennier to join her in her office.
"Thank you for coming, Colonel. Coffee?"
"I'm fine, thanks."
"I'm sure you've noticed that a number of food items are no longer available in the mess hall."
"Of course. The selections have been getting smaller and smaller."
"That's why we've left the Yolongus solar system and traveled a hundred thirty-two light-years. We desperately need food. I'd hoped that either the Qummuc would cease their vigil around the embassy and we could recover our people and the food stored at the embassy or that Space Command would send us supplies, but neither has occurred, so I've had to take matters into my own hands."
"And you're going to do that how? As I understand it, we're out in the middle of nowhere."
"As you understand it?"
"From talk in the mess hall. You can't keep something like this secret from the crew."
"Of course," Sydnee said, nodding slightly. "Anyway, the secret is about to be revealed. We're going to become pirates."
"Pirates?"
"Pirates," she said in acknowledgement.
"And who are we going to attack?"
"No one, I hope. We're going to attempt to stop freighters and assess their cargo to see if they're transporting any foodstuffs."
"And then we're going to just take it?"
"In a manner of speaking because I won't allow them to refuse our— request. Every ship sent out by Space Command carries a certain amount of cash based on its mission, intended degree of travel, and the time it's expected to be away from normal supply lines. I'm going to pay for any food we take with GA credits. We were supposed to be in another nation's space— hostile space— for a period of up to two years, so the amount of credits I have in my safe would put some small banks to shame."
"And if the ship we're taking the food from refuses to accept payment in GA credits?"
"I've heard that GA credits are actually far preferred over Clidepp credits here in the Empire, but if that's not the case, then we take the food anyway. We have no choice."
"And I assume my Wing will be used to perform an— interdiction-like inspection?"
"Perhaps. I'm hoping we can convince a freighter to sell us food with using any force or even boarding their ship."
"I formally protest, Captain. This is outside our mission."
"Yes, it is, and your formal protest is noted. I take full responsibility for the action so you're covered. If we don't do this, we'll probably be completely out of food within a week. We've already exhausted the chemicals required by the food synthesizers to produce most foods, and all of the normal foodstuffs have been consumed. In less than a week, all of the emergency rations will also be gone."
"It's that bad?"
"Yes. I've sworn the cooks and mess assistants to secrecy, but I'm sure some of the crew know the truth. As you touched on a minute ago, you can't really keep any secrets on a ship this size, especially since so many of the former slaves are working in the mess hall helping to prepare meals."
"I'm sure you realize the freighters will be traveling FTL. How do you propose to stop them?"
"I've had some small experience in that regard. We pick a likely freighter and order them to heave-to. If they refuse, or if they simply don't acknowledge the order, we threaten them with the use of force. And if they still refuse or still refuse to acknowledge the order, we have no choice but to perform an envelope merge and stop them. We want to avoid hurting anyone, but we must do whatever is necessary to get food."
"Whatever is necessary?"
"Yes. If they fail to stop on their own, the only way I know to stop them is with an envelope merge. But we must be careful not to hit any occupied parts of the ship. We will only target their propulsion systems. I don't want anyone harmed."
"A dangerous maneuver at best and deadly at worst."
"True, but if they refuse to stop, it's the only alternative. Since freighters have their temporal generators mounted on their bow of their ships, the danger of a serious collision is lessened considerably compared to stopping a military ship with their temporal generator mounted on the sail area because that requires us to perform an envelope merge so we can fire our lasers at the generator. All we have to do with a freighter is match their speed, then slide over in front of them and let them run into us. This ship won't be damaged, but their temporal generator will be crushed and their envelope will be cancelled. I'm hoping that once they realize they'll be dead in space in the middle of nowhere if they fail to stop, they might come around and be cooperative."
"And if they fire on us?"
"Non-military vessels in Clidepp space are restricted from carrying offensive weapons by the Clidepp government."
"You mean like that Clidepp freighter you destroyed after they fired two missiles at the Clidepp destroyer you commanded?"
"That was an exception. The freighter was controlled by the Rebels and merely disguised as an innocent freighter."
"You do realize we have no authority to stop ships in another nation's territory."
"Yes, but I'm already in this so deep it probably won't make much difference. The worst they can do is kick me out of the service."
"Actually, if you start a war with another nation independent of authorization by the GA Senate, they can confine you on Saquer Major for the rest of your life."
"Stop trying to cheer me up, Colonel. Listen, if we don't get food, none of us may live long enough to be locked up for life."
"Okay, Captain. It's your call. We'll support you in whatever action you order."
* *
"Captain, the DeTect system has identified what appears to be a freighter," Lt.(jg) Templeton announced the next day.
"How far, how big, and on what course?"
"It appears to be about five kilometers in length. The Detect system indicates the ship is roughly three-point-six billion kilometers from our present position. Its current course will probably take it to the Olimpood home world."
"Lt. Olivetti, establish a course that will take us alongside that ship and send it to the helm."
"Aye, Captain."
"Helm, when you receive the course, take us there."
"Aye, Captain," Lt.(jg) Ming said.
Traveling at Light-9790, the Justice closed the distance to the freighter in mere minutes. It then had to cancel its double envelope and build a single so it could slow to Light-120 to match the speed of the freighter. The hull sensors scanned the freighter from a distance of five kilometers and the results appeared on the bridge monitor.
"Unlikely they have much food, Captain," Lt.(jg) Galli said as he reviewed the data. "They appear to be loaded down with unprocessed ore. Of course, they'll have the food for the crew."
"No, that won't even make a dent in what we need. I guess we struck out this time. Maybe the next freighter will have what we need."
* *
Three more freighters were scanned and rejected over the next couple of days. Sydnee's brilliant plan was shaping up to be a monumental failure. With little more than a day's worth of food left on the ship, Sydnee had cut the half rations to quarter rations and the crew was getting restless. Desperation had set in and Sydnee had reached a point where she was prepared to do something she had told herself she would never do. When another ship, any ship, came by, they would stop it and take some of the crew's food.
She was sitting in her office when she received a message that another freighter had just come into view. She jumped up and rushed to the bridge in time to see the scan data appear on the large monitor.
"Looking good, Captain," Lt.(jg) Galli said. "No mining ore containers at all according to the scans. And they're nearly maxed out with cargo containers."
"We just have to hope they're not traveling empty," Lt.(jg) Olivetti mused.
"It's the best chanc
e we've had since we arrived here," Sydnee said. "Bring us alongside, Helm." Once the Justice had matched speed and come alongside the freighter, she said, "Com, hail them. The name on the freighter appears to be Diutomis."
A few seconds later, Com Chief Lemela said, "They want to know who we are and why we're calling them."
"Tell them we need food and we're willing to pay for it."
After sending the message and listening to a reply, Lemela said, "They say they're not running a grocery store."
"I'll talk to them, Chief. Patch my CT into the connection."
After touching a few spots on his console, Lemela said, "Go ahead, Captain. You're tied in."
"This is the Captain of the ship off your larboard side. I want to talk to your captain."
"You are talking to the captain. I'm Captain Serwooth."
"We are desperately in need of food. We wish to purchase some of whatever you're transporting."
"We're freighters, not food merchants."
"And we're desperate enough to destroy your ship and take the food if you won't sell it to us."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Are you willing to bet your life on that?"
"You wouldn't dare attack us."
"Is that your final answer? And is your will up to date?"
"You wouldn't dare attack us."
"We're getting nowhere. After I destroy your temporal generator you might be more amicable."
"You wouldn't dare attack us."
"You keep saying that, but you obviously don't understand what hunger can drive people to do. After we destroy your temporal generator, I'm hoping you will stop. If you attempt to continue with sub-light speeds, we'll destroy your larboard engine. And if you fail to stop after that, we'll destroy the starboard engine. Then we'll start cutting your ship into little pieces. I suggest you recall everyone from the cargo section before we reach that point. Call me back whenever you want me to stop firing on your ship. And we're monitoring all frequencies, so I warn you not to attempt to call for help or send any communication messages at all regarding my order to stop. Captain Ahab out."
After terminating the connection, Lemela said, "Ahab, Captain?"
"Yes," Sydnee said with a smile. "It was the first name that popped into my head that described my frame of mind. He was the insane captain of a whaling ship in the book Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I decided to use that instead of Captain Kidd, although a pirate's name might be a little more appropriate.
"Helm, line us up with their bow so we can destroy their temporal generator."
"Captain, we're not really going to attack that freighter, are we?" Lt.(jg) Templeton asked.
"Only if they refuse to yield, Tac."
Templeton tapped a few points on his console before saying, "Aye, Captain. I'm ready to fire on the sub-light engines whenever you give the command."
"Helm, take your time lining us up. I want to make the captain believe we're really going to destroy his temporal generator and that it's taking us extra time to guarantee the destruction. Perhaps the extra seconds will allow him to understand I'm not bluffing."
"Aye, Captain."
A few minutes later the helmsman said, "We're in position, Captain. I can't delay any longer. If we're going to do this, I only have to nudge us a little bit closer."
"I guess he's not going to chicken out," Sydnee said. With definite determination in her voice, she added, "Well, neither are we. Move us in and destroy their generator."
"The captain of the Diutomis is calling Captain. He wants to talk."
"Helm, back off. Okay, Chief, patch me in again."
"You're in, Captain."
"That was close, Captain. I had just given the order to complete the destruction."
"Captain Ahab, you can't be serious about this."
"I'm very serious, Captain Serwooth. If you're not going to stop, we'll stop you. And there will be no more chances to stop the attack, so cancel your envelope."
"Our sensors say you have no weapons."
"Our weapons remain hidden until we need them."
"That sounds quite suspicious."
"We're traveling FTL, Captain Serwooth, so I can't fire my weapons and prove their existence unless we destroy your generator and then destroy some part of your ship."
"Okay, Captain Ahab, I surrender. I'm going to stop. Please put a little space between our ships so we don't accidently collide."
Everyone on the bridge was watching Sydnee. She nodded to the helmsman and he returned his gaze to his console, then touched a few control points. When he looked up, turned slightly, and nodded, Sydnee returned her attention to the com link.
"Okay, Captain Serwooth, we're in a safe position."
"I'm canceling our envelope, Captain Ahab."
Sydnee waited until the freighter suddenly disappeared behind them before telling the helmsman to return to where the freighter had stopped. With the return to sub-light speeds, normal video communications that allowed use of the large bridge monitor was possible, and both parties got a look at the other. Captain Serwooth was a Mydwuard, one of the three main sentient species in the Clidepp Empire.
"A wise decision, Captain," Sydnee said. "I want this transaction to be peaceful and equitable. Starting off by destroying part of your ship would have made pleasantries impossible."
"How is it that a Space Command ship is so far from the GA?"
"I see you recognize our uniforms."
"Yes. I suspected you might be Space Command. The Clidepp military would have identified themselves before issuing such orders, and Raiders would have fired first and talked afterwards. What is a Space Command ship doing so far from GA space?"
"It's a long story and one I'm not at liberty to discuss anyway."
"Do you really have weapons? And would you have really destroyed my temporal generator?"
"Yes to both questions. Obviously we're not a battleship or even a destroyer, but even small GA space tugs like this one have weaponry sufficient to defend ourselves. And it can also be used offensively when absolutely necessary. I would have used it most regretfully— if you had not agreed to stop. I have no choice, Captain. My back is against a wall. I know this is highly unorthodox, but I need food supplies desperately, and I believe you might be able to accommodate us. It's that's simple. Now, I would like you to send us a copy of your ship's manifest so we can select what we need."
"I'm going to get in a lot of trouble when the deliveries come up short."
"You'll be well compensated for all missing supplies with enough GA Credits to more than satisfy the intended food recipient. And with enough to pocket some for yourself. Now please transmit the ship's manifest."
* *
As soon as the manifest was received. Sydnee took the information to the mess hall and had the cooks review the available food lists. Her instructions were to get enough to last the crew and passengers for six months.
"Six months, Captain? That's a lot of food, and this is a small ship."
"I'll have Lt.(jg) Galli and his engineers standing by to consult with you after you've had a chance to review the list. He'll be able to tell you if we can take on what you select. Dried foods like pasta that take a minimum of uncooked space and expand when cooked would be best, but we'd also prefer a varied diet with vegetables, if possible. The most important task is to acquire enough food that we don't have to do this again. I'm sure that when we're done here and the freighters tell their story, the Clidepp military will speed to this area and begin searching for us. I would very much prefer not to have to return here for more food."
"Yes, ma'am. We'll do our best to make this just a one-time shopping trip."
"Very good, Staff Sergeant. Contact me when you've made your selections."
* *
The freighter captain was anxious to resume his voyage, so he kept calling Sydnee every fifteen minutes until she was able to give him a list of the food she wanted. After he'd had a chance to examine the list, he called her again.
"Captain, this is an enormous amount of food for such a small ship as yours, and it could take days to assemble it all."
"I'm sorry, Captain. We're a very long way from home and my cook believes we need everything he listed. I must insist you supply what we need so I'm not forced to stop other freighters on our return trip. You're pulling almost ten kilometers of shipping containers, and they contain ten thousand times the amount of food we're requesting. And you'll be able to give each of your crew a nice bonus for the extra work we're asking you to perform. As soon as you have the cargo container filled, send it over using a robotic tug and we'll begin emptying it. If we work together instead of complaining or commiserating, we can complete this transaction more quickly."
"Aye, Captain. My people are already hard at work filling a quarter container in the maintenance bay. I'll contact you when we're ready to send it over."
* *
Two hours later, the first part of the shipment, loaded into a standard forty-meter-long quarter-sized shipping container, was coming alongside the Justice. A dozen Marines in EVA suits were standing on a launch platform usually used to launch and recover a Marine SF4. The Fighter had launched and was holding position over the Justice. By necessity, it would remain outside the ship until all of the food had been received and stored inside the ship since the Justice had no storage holds accessible via a hatchway in the hull. When the SF4 platform with its gravity set to one-sixth normal was filled, it would be retracted into the habitat container and the area would be re-pressurized. A long line of waiting Marines and Space Command officers and enlisted would then unload the platform, passing the food into crew accommodations, engineering spaces of the ship, corridors, and any available space in the habitat containers. The process would be repeated over and over again until the ship was crammed full with food. As each platform was unloaded, the items were marked off against the list of requested food.
* *
It didn't take days to transfer the food, but it did take just over sixteen hours. Aboard the Justice, everyone who had worked to store and secure the food was so exhausted they didn't even want to think about food, which was just as well because the cooks and their assistants had helped with the unloading and storage and were just as beat.
Clidepp Deja Vu Page 21
