by Britt Ringel
“Syntyche squeezes every credit it can from transitory shipping. Besides biomechanics, Humex’s greatest asset is its location.” Lombardi pointed at the system plot. “This system connects to four major star systems. Anything going to Picus or Terra Mater passes through this system. Since Picus is a major hub for trade between the Federation and Commonwealth, there is much profit to be made from charging transit fees.”
“Well, they’re not very well-defended for such an important system,” Vernay remarked. “Kite alone could conquer this system.”
“Only after invading the Federation through the Syrinx system, Lieutenant,” Lombardi noted. “There was a sound strategic reason why Humex paid for liberty from the Federation here but did not pay for Syrinx.”
“A buffer,” Heskan summarized.
“Then why doesn’t the Federation just reabsorb this system?” Vernay asked.
“There is no reason to,” Lombardi explained. “I understand the ‘Vic mentality is to exert maximum influence over everything within their borders but the Federation was well paid to give the corporate systems their autonomy, and ongoing trade agreements remain favorable.”
Vernay glared in annoyance at the Hollaran but listened as Lombardi pointed at Gremlin’s beacon on the system plot. “That brig would be no match for even a single Federation frigate. That is true.” The komandor then made a dramatic cutting motion at her neck with a finger. “However, the corporate systems have tremendous clout. Attacking would be akin to slitting their own throats for many leaders inside the Federation. Put simply, Lieutenant, political and economic realities are all the protections the corporate systems require against two of the three major governments.”
“Then why have defense ships at all?” Vernay asked.
Lombardi smiled knowingly. “The only enemy of a corporate system is another corporate system, and while it is true that most conflicts between these systems are low intensity, such as espionage, there are instances where one corporation decides it is time for more aggressive measures.”
“Gives new meaning,” Heskan added, “to the term ‘hostile takeover.’”
“Precisely,” Lombardi said. “Humex is relatively safe though. Its territory is large, with three star systems including Syntyche. Moreover, the Federation surrounds it. The other three major regions containing corporate systems have multiple mega-corps bordering each other directly. It is there that one finds the more aggressive means of corporate warfare.”
“Is that why Syntyche only has a few brigs?” Selvaggio asked.
Lombardi nodded. “Yes, but there are more defense ships in the other Humex systems, including ships of the line. Not many though, such vessels are expensive to purchase and operate and Humex is all about profits. As it is, Gremlin was purchased from the Commonwealth ten years ago when she was purpose-built for this system.”
Heskan looked at Lombardi inquisitively. “How do you know that, Isabella?”
“As I have said, Syntyche and the Commonwealth have deep ties to each other.”
“Bree has generally avoided entanglements with the corporate systems,” Vernay noted with satisfaction.
This was true, in part, because only one of the four corporate regions shared borders with the Republic. However, the Republic also displayed a vehement animosity toward the corporate systems as a matter of principle. They were an affront to the Republic tenet that freedom paid for with credits and not blood was not true freedom. By law, no system within the Republic could entertain the notion of buying its secession, although there were examples of attempts earlier in her history. The Republic was a jealous mistress who guarded her star systems as a miser watched over his coins.
During the discussion, Gremlin moved to intercept. The growing vector line behind the brig’s symbol brought Selvaggio full circle. “Komandor, do we have enough credits to pay a transit and docking fee?”
“It will be fine, Tenente,” Lombardi assured. “Once we are closer, I will speak to them.”
Despite the relatively short distance between the two ships, it took over an hour to reduce the span to where a near real-time conversation could be held. Gremlin’s second message came seventy-three minutes after her first.
“CSV Hussy, you will heave to without delay,” Holt ordered succinctly. “You will be boarded for ship’s inspection. My comm officer is transmitting account details for the immediate payment of your transit fee.”
Lombardi stood next to Heskan at the captain’s console, waiting patiently for Truesworth’s signal to proceed. When she finally spoke, Heskan noted how improved her English had become over the last months, despite her bemusing refusal to use contractions.
“Captain Holt, contact Chairman Lukas Nikitas and send him Isabella Lombardi’s regards using the private channel code transmitted to you now. We will continue on course for Tuxevi and we request clearance to dock at the orbital of his convenience. Lombardi out.” She looked at Heskan and added, “Please continue on course, Captain. I would prefer to not add one extra minute to the time I must remain in these clothes.” She tugged at her orange prisoner’s garb. Indeed, all of the Hollarans had been forced to wear the same clothes over the last two weeks.
Heskan smiled with empathy. Just when you’ve mastered tactics, then you’ve got to learn strategy. And once you’ve grasped the concepts of strategy, logistics rears its ugly head. We avoided all the Brevic ships and I.S. agents only to be nearly foiled by something as mundane as simple supply. Heskan knew that history was replete with examples where exhausting a supply train was a far greater danger than any opposing force.
Hussy plodded forward another 6lm while Gremlin fulfilled Lombardi’s request. Fourty-two minutes passed before the brig’s next reply was received. Captain Holt’s real-time image flashed into existence on the wall screen bearing a wide, almost eager smile. His speech pattern suggested he had rehearsed his message multiple times. “Syntyche sends its warmest salutations to Isabella Lombardi, Komandor of the Commonwealth’s Navy. Your fees have been waived and Gremlin requests the honor of escorting your ship to the orbital of your choice. Chairman Nikitas humbly suggests the Vox space orbital, Docking Bay One.”
All eyes on Hussy’s bridge turned to Lombardi who merely replied, “The honor of your escort is ours and we will gratefully proceed to Vox, Captain.” She swiped her hand at Truesworth to end the encounter.
“Quite a change in demeanor,” Heskan remarked.
Lombardi laughed melodically. “Realizing that you are speaking to the niece and adopted daughter of Hollaran Naval Procurement will do that. We will have no further difficulties here, Garrett. Chairman Nikitas owes the Commonwealth, and my family in particular, a great debt.”
“What happened?” Heskan asked.
“A subsidiary branch in Humex was going to spin Nikitas’ department off in an attempt to oust him,” Lombardi explained. “When many board executives abandoned him, the De Lucas backed his position and threatened to withdraw the Commonwealth from several trade agreements if Nikitas was removed. The ouster failed and Nikitas eventually rose to prominence as head of the Board.”
“Sounds complicated,” Heskan stated.
“Frankly, it is. I prefer my warfare much more open and honest.” Lombardi smiled reflectively. “I guess I am not much of a De Luca.”
“Captain,” Vernay said as she looked at Heskan, blue eyes wide with hope. “Are we going to actually, you know, get to leave Hussy when we dock?”
The question spurred great interest among the bridge as each crewmember sat, literally, on the edge of their seat. “I don’t know, Stacy,” he confessed. “We don’t have any credits and I’m still not sure how we’re going to resupply Hussy in this system. These corporate folks don’t seem the kind to extend credit to strangers.” He looked guiltily at Lombardi. “Isabella, I hate to ask because I don’t think I could ever pay you back but is there anything your influence can provide?”
Lombardi smiled warmly at him before replying, “Garrett, I told yo
u that if you took us to Syntyche, I would take us the rest of the way home. Lukas treats me like his own daughter. There is a hotel on Vox that I stayed in when I was fifteen that I remember fondly. I will have Lukas block off an entire floor for our people. I will also make arrangements to ensure we all have the resources necessary to feed and, for all that is loving and merciful in the galaxy, clothe us appropriately. In fact, we should discuss what our plans will be after Syntyche.”
Heskan’s stomach flipped. That’s right. There’s really no need for her or her crew to return to Hussy. I’m sure they’ll be much more comfortable on a luxury passenger transport than cramming everyone back here. He felt his heart flutter. Is Isabella leaving me?
Chapter 19
Heskan’s entire crew debarked Hussy upon mooring with the massive station at Syntyche’s primary planet. Docking Bay-1 had obviously been built to accommodate the luxury ships of visiting dignitaries. Hussy’s farcical presence secured to a gleaming slip highlighted Heskan’s embarrassment for not only the destitute appearance of his weathered command but that of his crew. They had emerged from Hussy tattered from stress, haggard from malnourishment, and malodorous from poor hygiene. Two sani-showers, two hundred people. What were we thinking?
His shame at the condition of his crew had only increased when he realized that Vox’s “Head of Reception and Decorum” was personally greeting them in the docking bay with an honor guard. Heat had risen in Heskan’s cheeks as crewmember after crewmember exited Hussy wearing a thoroughly filthy orange prisoner’s outfit. The ridiculous image reminded Heskan of a circus he attended as a little boy, his childish delight increasing with each additional clown emerging from an impossibly small hovercar. We just needed music in the background and we could have earned some credits by charging admission to the spectacle of Hussy’s arrival. Naturally, Heskan had been unable to detect any trace of embarrassment on Lombardi. Of course, he thought. Isabella handles every encounter with an infuriating, unflagging self-confidence. She had simply shook the Vox representative’s hand and proceeded to ensure that all her requests had been granted, starting with their accommodations.
A clean and suited Heskan now knocked on the door of Vernay’s hotel suite. While he waited, he had to admit that Syntychen hospitality was remarkable. The Vox representative had even kept a straight face when assuring Heskan that his command would remain unmolested during his absence, under the watchful eyes of the Humex honor guard. As if someone would dare enter that rusty crate the way she smells. Heskan chuckled at the thought as Lieutenant Vernay finally opened the door.
“Something funny, sir?” she said in mock-offense while raising her arms to display a striking blue Tourlenni dinner gown that fit her to perfection. “I may go into business selling the ‘Hussy Crash Diet Plan’ when I settle down,” she said with a dangerous smile while turning in a gentle circle to model her attire.
Her figure, already toned and athletic, had lost virtually all of its body fat in the fortnight of hardship. Heskan too had lost weight. I actually have six-pack abs, he chuckled to himself as he recalled dressing for the evening. He and the Brevic crew had been lucky. Some of Lombardi’s crew, who started out thinner due to their captivity, were malnourishment cases. Seven Hollarans had been admitted to the Vox medical facility and were under observation to ensure they recovered properly. Ensign May was the only Brevic admittee, recovering well but checked in as a precaution.
“I was just thinking what a difference a few hours makes.” Heskan said.
“I’ll say, Captain,” Vernay agreed. “I think I could get used to this kind of treatment. I actually got a massage in my room while a personal assistant showed me dresses for tonight on the wall screen.” She smiled broadly again. “Promise me that wherever we end up, we’ll have this lifestyle.”
The pair began to walk down the lavishly carpeted hall toward the lift. “I guess we’re going to find out what’s next,” Heskan said with a slight twinge of concern. “Lombardi wants to use this dinner as a planning session on how we’re going to move forward.”
Vernay’s eyes rolled slightly but she said cheerfully, “As long as they serve food, I don’t mind listening to her.” She snickered and reached out to take Heskan by the arm. “Sir, you did it! You kept your word.”
Heskan nodded, a little too solemnly for Vernay’s taste.
“Garrett,” she said as she stopped in the hallway, “I thought you’d be happier.”
Me too, he reflected. “I am, Stacy. Maybe it just hasn’t sunk in. Maybe part of it is that I have no idea what’s next.” He looked into his companion’s eyes. “I feel, for the first time, that we have no future.”
Panic shot rapidly through her cerulean eyes as she looked at him earnestly. “Don’t say that! Do you really think you can get rid of your first officer that easily, Captain?”
Her expression melted his heart. That’s Stacy, loyal to the bitter end. “I didn’t mean it like that,” Heskan assured. “I meant that I feel like I can’t offer my crew a future.”
Vernay exhaled with relief and then shrugged without apparent concern. She rapidly readjusted one of the thin slices of material running down her chest. “Don’t worry, Captain. Just like with this dress, one door closes, another opens.”
Heskan barked a laugh and the pair resumed their pace.
* * *
Once introductions were made, Heskan took his position at the banquet table. Lombardi had invited all of Heskan’s crew and her own officers. Chairman Lukas Nikitas was hosting the event although it was clear Lombardi was running the show.
Lombardi had stunned Heskan as she entered on the arm of the elder gentleman. She had declined an evening gown in favor of the mess dress of the Hollaran Navy. Heskan had no idea how she obtained the uniform in Syntyche but judging by the immaculate tailoring, it was possible it had been handcrafted over the last several hours. Seeing Lombardi in her uniform returned much of the woman’s military persona. The vulnerable, caring temptress gave way to the predatory mien of a lethal ship’s captain. A sadness touched Heskan when he first caught sight of her even as her dazzling appearance took his breath away. I’ll never wear my uniform again, he reflected morosely. The single thought threatened to crush him.
After two weeks of unending hardship, the banquet’s decadence was nearly overwhelming. Food was abundant, cup bottoms refused to be exposed. The sweet music from a live string quartet lent a dreamlike quality to the evening as Heskan dined with scarcely contained gusto. Nikitas talked to Lombardi most of the evening, catching her up with polite news from the Commonwealth after offering profound condolences over the loss of her uncle. Heskan had witnessed such condolences given and accepted before but never by Republic enemies. It was yet another bizarre sequence in a night filled with them. Eventually, conversation turned toward what would happen next for Hussy.
“We will suffer a mutiny if we order all two hundred of my crew back aboard that tiny ship,” Lombardi jested.
“That will, of course, not be necessary, Izzy,” Nikitas promised. “I have negotiated a private charter for your crew to return to the Commonwealth.” He gaily waved a hand and continued, “The ship will arrive from Terra Mater in about a week. Until then, please know that you will all be treated like family in Syntyche.” He eyed Lombardi pointedly. “We treasure our dearest ally, Izzy. I hope Samanta knows this.”
Lombardi did not miss the gentle prod. “She does, Lukas, and I am sure she will be grateful for the way you and Humex have treated us.”
The tacit agreement made, Nikitas eased to the back of his chair with a contented smile.
Heskan asked quietly, “Isabella, is this where we say goodbye?” He did not want that moment to come, but knew it might anyway.
“No!” she answered emphatically. She leaned over the enormous table to draw closer to him. “You promised you would return me to Hollara, Garrett.” Her face tightened into almost a plea. “You must keep that promise!”
The surge of relief he felt both
nurtured and scared Heskan. Outwardly, he tried to remain dispassionate. “Then what do you suggest?”
“We have a ship,” she stated. “We can return home in it, just with a more appropriately sized crew and a more suitably provisioned hold. Lukas, can we transform one of Hussy’s holds into something more amenable for travel?”
Nikitas nodded eagerly. “Of course, I will put my best men on that immediately.” He pecked at the screen of his datapad. “Might I suggest a good cleaning of the interior while they’re at it?”
“Oh God, please, yes!” Vernay interjected.
Beside her, Truesworth begged, “And for the love of all that is merciful, can I please get a datapad?”
* * *
The crowd broke up after dinner. Following several energetic hugs, Nikitas excused himself to travel back to the surface of Tuxevi. Before leaving, he assured Heskan that his freighter would be “spaceworthy” by the following evening but he was welcome to enjoy the Syntyche sights for as long as he wished.
Lombardi, Vernay and Brown congregated to speak via datapad with the Humex representative outfitting Hussy. Heskan monitored the conversation but knew Brown’s thirty years of experience would far supplant any advice he might have for provisioning. As he wandered away from the group, he stood near a wall screen and stared at the planet below them. It looked a little like his home planet, with a large supercontinent riddled with winding rivers. The southern hemisphere seemed to have more surface water than Dione but the brilliant brown and green of the continent interlaced with blue lines made Heskan homesick. Odd, he considered. I haven’t thought about Dione for years, except on Archer during those virtual rows I took from the orbital toward her moon. I’ve always considered space as my home. Heskan held no illusions about a career as a freighter captain. Now where am I going to live?
Lombardi’s voice returned him to the dining hall. “It is a spectacular view, no?”
