The Hope Island Chronicles Boxed Set

by PJ Strebor

“Negative sir,” the TO said. “Strange.”

  Nathan took a breath and reached out to sense Odenwald’s crew. Eighty-two crewmen but not one of them represented a threat to his people. Nathan caught the edge of something from one of the crew.

  “We’re being hailed, skipper,” Grace said.

  “Put it through,” Nathan said. This is odd.

  “To unknown vessel, this is the Pruessen Naval transport ship Odenwald. I am Captain Pitzen. Please explain your actions.”

  “Captain Pitzen, Captain Waugh. My meaning sir is clear. I mean to take your ship.”

  “You understand the penalties for piracy, do you Captain Waugh?”

  “Piracy? We’re not pirates, we just need to borrow your ship for a while. Cooperate fully with my people and you have my word that you and your crew won’t be harmed.”

  “We carry no marines aboard this vessel and we are not permitted to carry small arms, so we can offer no resistance. We will cooperate. But I’ll hold you to your promise, Captain Waugh. Odenwald out.”

  Nathan sent an enquiring gesture to Grace. Her forehead creased as she shook her head. He could detect nothing in the way of the threat from the square head crew.

  “What the hell’s going on, Nate?” Moe asked from the combat sphere.

  “No idea. These are unlike any Pruessens I’ve encountered. They’re so docile.”

  “Your Prep’s not screaming?” Moe asked.

  “Not a peep.”

  His comm beeped. “Moe, I’ll have to get back to you.” He cut the connection and answered the marine’s call. “What’s happening, Jacinta?”

  “I’m on the bridge, Captain,” she said. “The crew are sitting at their stations with their hands on their heads. Captain Pitzen told me he contacted you and agreed to cooperate. We’ve received zero resistance from the crew. This is unprecedented, sir.”

  “Tell me about it,” Nathan said. “Keep on your toes, just in case.”

  “Shall do, skipper.”

  “Adroit out,” Nathan said. “Moe, briefing room, please.”

  “Roger that.”

  Nathan unstrapped, removed his helmet, and walked to stand between the helm and tactical stations.

  “I’ll be off the bridge for a while, so if Odenwald twitches, contact me immediately. Understood?”

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” Leah and Rudi said as one.

  Moe and Grace were awaiting him in the briefing room.

  “This is as atypical a Pruessen attitude as I’ve ever encountered,” Nathan said. “Thoughts?”

  “She didn’t even try to send a distress signal,” Grace said.

  “Those pulse shots I bounced off her hull shouldn’t have slowed them down. But they did.”

  “I need to take a boarding party over there and see what’s really going on,” Nathan said.

  “Not you, Nathan,” Grace said. “You are Captain and the Captain’s place is on the bridge.”

  “Nate’s right, Grace, he needs to get over there,” Moe said.

  Grace glanced from one to the other, her eyes narrowing. “All right, enough of this. You two have kept me out of your secret club for long enough. You need to tell me what’s going on.”

  Nathan blew air out between pursed lips and raised his eyebrows at Moe. She nodded.

  “Consider this level-one security,” Moe said. Grace nodded. “Nate has an extremely keen instinct for danger. It’s the reason we’ve survived this long and are still in one piece.”

  “Ahhh, I see,” Grace said. “Now it makes sense. That’s why you two are always on the secure channel.” She sniffed. “Your secure channel keeps everyone from listening into your conversation.” She sported a wry smile. “Everyone except your D-O.”

  “You’ve been eavesdropping, Grace?” Moe asked, a smile forming.

  “Yep. Comes with the job.”

  “Right then,” Nathan said. “Have a landing boat prepped immediately. I want Fish, Amos and four crewmembers to search the ship. Have them meet me in the boat bay in five minutes.”

  “I’d like to come,” Moe said.

  Nathan squeezed her shoulder. “And I’d like to have you with me. But we can’t have both of our command pilots over there at the same time. If this is some kind of trap, we can’t afford to lose both of us.”

  “Do you still sense negative hostility?” Moe asked.

  He nodded. “And something else that I can’t quite isolate. That’s another reason I have to get aboard her.”

  “Fish and Amos are on their way,” Grace said. “I’ve included chief petty officers Jenner and Gomard plus petty officers Brayshaw and Carter in the landing party. They’ve all had extensive experience with ship inspections and ‘droid allocation. I assume you want the ship swept from bow to stern”

  Nathan smiled. “I might just keep you around, Grace.”

  As Nathan walked to the hatch Moe said, “Watch your six.” Nathan held up his right thumb.

  CHAPTER 39

  Date: 11th September, 326 ASC.

  Position: Aboard the transport Odenwald. Northern Quarantine Zone.

  Nathan brought landing boat one into the transport’s boat bay. Stepping onto the deck he stared with slack-jawed amazement at the size of it.

  Fish started to sway. Nathan grabbed his arm. “Take deep breaths. It’ll pass shortly.”

  Four years ago Nathan had a similar experience aboard the King Charles battle platform. A mild case of agoraphobia. Trapped within the confines of a tiny monitor for months, then to be thrust into an area that could easily house a couple of attack boats, required time to adjust to.

  He examine Fish who looked steadier on his feet. “You’ve done your time at the tactical station?”

  “Aye, sir, two years.”

  “Good, you’re with me. Amos, check out maneuvering would you?”

  “Aye, skip. Mind if I take Gomard with me?”

  “No problem. Jenner, Brayshaw and Carter, I want you three to stick together. Things seem benign and probably are, but keep your wits about you. Understood?”

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” they said in unison.

  “What are we looking for skipper?” CPO Jenner asked.

  “Anything that doesn’t smell right. Start at the lower decks and work your way up.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “You’re the senior non com Jenner, so you are in charge,” Nathan said. “That means you’ll be the one I blast if you three stooges screw the pooch.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jenner said.

  Nathan and Fish made their way to the bridge. Like everything aboard Odenwald, it was enormous. He nodded to Jacinta as the Pruessen Captain rose from his chair.

  “Captain Waugh?”

  “Yes,” Nathan said. “We need to talk.”

  “Very well.”

  The crew still sat at their stations with their hands on their heads. Nathan shook his head.

  “Have your crew lower their hands,” Nathan said. “It’s undignified.”

  “Thank you.” The Pruessen Captain gave the order to his crew then led them into the briefing room. They took seats. “May I offer you coffee.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Nathan said.

  Nathan watched him intently as he poured the coffee into three mugs. He and Fish waited until the Pruessen Captain had taken the first sip before indulging.

  “Good coffee,” Nathan said.

  “I know someone who knows someone.”

  “What’s going on, Captain Pitzen?” Nathan asked.

  Nathan sensed a spike of alarm from his counterpart.

  “I don’t know what you mean?”

  “You barely put up a fight. That’s not like the Pruessen navy I’ve encountered.”

  “There was no way we could outmaneuver your vessel. Or outgun you. And our shield buffers were only at half-capacity.” He shrugged.

  “So you just gave up? No, I’m not buying it. Something’s going on.”


  “My crew and I aren’t career navy personnel. I was a merchantman in civilian life until the HRS forced me, and my crew into uniforms. For nine years we’ve done their bidding but with each year I’ve managed to get all my male relatives and trusted friends posted to my command. Six months ago I was assigned to this vessel and ran her through the usual shake down cruises. Then we were assigned to this mission. A supply run to Bentport. Our navy plans to invade that world within the month.”

  “Bentport?” Nathan said. “You’re thirty light years past Bentport. What’s going on?”Pitzen examined his fingers then stared at Nathan. “One truth for another, Captain. Who are you and what will happen to my ship and crew.”

  Nathan could detect nothing but concern from Pitzen. He wasn’t a threat but he wasn’t telling the whole truth.

  His comm beeped. “Captain.”

  “Jenner here, Skip,” the non-com said. “You wanted something that doesn’t feel right? You have to see this for yourself, sir. Deck forty-two, section sixty.”

  Nathan stared coldly at Captain Pitzen who examined his hands.

  “Very well, Jenner, I’m on my way,” Nathan said.

  “Jacinta remain here, and keep an eye on the crew,” Nathan said. “Fish, get onto the sensor array and do an internal scan of this ship.”

  They acknowledged and stepped onto the bridge.

  “And you, Captain Pitzen, will come with me.”

  The Pruessen remained silent, his shoulders slumped and his head sagging. Together they entered the lift. Pitzen’s fear level went through the overhead when Nathan selected deck forty-two for the lift’s destination.

  Exiting the lift Nathan and the steadily fidgety Pruessen walked through the enormous hold until he spotted his crewmembers ahead.

  “What have you got, Jenner?”

  “Well sir, it’s what I don’t have.” He handed Nathan his scanner. “Almost missed this first time. Start here, Captain.”

  Nathan scanned the wall. Readings normal. He looked to Jenner and shrugged.

  “Keep going, sir.”

  Training the scanner on the wall Nathan walked slowly along it. Normal, normal, normal, whoa. Zero readings.

  “Well, well, well,” Nathan said to the Pruessen. “What do we have here?”

  Pitzen’s fear was manifest. He looked as if he would yack at any moment.

  “Decadone?” Nathan said. Pitzen remained silent. “An area lined with Decadone is an area filled with secrets. Anything you want to share with me, Captain?”

  The Pruessen remained mute.

  “Very well. Jenner return to the LB and get some shaped charges. We’ll blow it open.”

  “No, please,” Pitzen screamed.

  “Open it up, or I will.”

  The Pruessen hesitantly nodded.

  “Stand ready,” Nathan said to the three non-comms, as he drew his sidearm. He didn’t detect danger but wouldn’t take a chance with his crew’s safety.

  Pitzen removed a remote from his waistcoat. A beep, and the section of wall fell to the deck. Nathan looked into the large room. Terrified women and children stared back. Nathan holstered his pistol.

  “Who are they?” Nathan asked Pitzen. The Captain couldn’t look at him. Nathan seized him roughly by the arms. “Speak. Who are they?”

  “Our families,” Pitzen sobbed. “Please, I beg you, don’t harm them.”

  Nathan faced the wall of frightened faces.

  “Don’t be concerned,” Nathan said. “No harm will come to you.”

  Still the fear lingered. He dragged the terrified freighter captain aside.

  “Look at me.” Pitzen forced himself to look Nathan in the face.

  “My name is Nathan Waugh, acting Captain of the Athenian monitor Adroit. She was seized from league space and her crew brutalized. We’re trying to get home.”

  Pitzen’s face immediately relaxed.

  “Athenians. Thank God.” Pitzen rubbed his hands over his face. He swallowed deeply, making an audible sound. “As you can see we’re not leaving our families behind. We plan to seek asylum within League space. We’ve heard it’s possible. Is it?”

  Nathan couldn’t help but be impressed. He cleared his throat. “You’ve taken a big risk, Captain.”

  Pitzen smiled. “We’ve been preparing our escape for years. As you’ve discovered these quarters are lined with Decadone.”

  Nathan nodded and hid a smile. “Which is impervious to scans.” His hunting knife had been made from the same material. “Have your people return to their quarters. Athens doesn’t make war on civilians.”

  “Thank you, Captain Waugh.”

  Nathan had no love for Pruessens, but these were civilians caught in extraordinary circumstances. They had the guts to try and escape an evil regime and that fact alone made them the underdogs.

  “Your ship now has an escort, Captain,” Nathan said.

  “Edwin.” The two unlikely allies shook hands.

  “So Edwin, how were you planning to make it into League space?”

  Pitzen shrugged. “There’s been an unusual amount of activity along the frontier so I’ve set my course west and when I see an opening I’ll point the nose south and go.”

  “Hmm, that could prove to be quite difficult, I’m afraid.”

  CHAPTER 40

  Date: 11th September, 326 ASC.

  Position: Aboard the transport Odenwald. Northern Quarantine Zone.

  Nathan watched from the landing control center as Moe brought Adoit aboard. So huge was the boat bay that Moe could rotate the boat comfortably through her axis. As Nathan approached, Adroit’s fantail lowered. He waited until Moe and Grace joined him.

  “Let’s go,” Nathan said.

  They met up with Captain Pitzen in Odenwald’s briefing room.

  “Captain Edwin Pitzen, this is Lieutenant Moe Bradman, my second-in-command.”

  Moe stared at the outstretched hand for a few moments before shaking it.

  “And the boat’s D-O, Lieutenant Grace Barrington.”

  They shook hands.

  “D-O?”

  “Operations Officer. Double O or D-O for short. She’s the equivalent of your Executive Officer.”

  “Nathan, your presence on my ship is very reassuring,” Pitzen said. “I’d like to invite you and your senior officers to join me for dinner tonight. I have the best chef in the transport wing. We have an abundance of stores”

  “Sounds good,” Nathan said. “I’ll pass along your invitation to my officers. Talking of stores, could you put Grace in touch with your supply officer. My boat needs resupplying.”

  “Certainly.”

  “Great,” Nathan said. “I’ll leave you to sort out the details.”

  “Dinner will be served at eighteen-hundred, deck one, officer’s lounge.”

  Nathan nodded and stepped through the hatch.

  ***

  Adroit’s senior officers sat at one side of the table, Odenwald’s on the other, with Edwin and Nathan at the respective heads. Only a few of the officer’s wives were in attendance. They’d spent the first half hour of their dinner eating fine food within an atmosphere of guarded silence. Slowly, the two wary crews began awkward conversations, with both captains nudging them into, at least trying, to be civil.

  Nathan would forever detest the Pruessen form of government, but these men and women were little more than victims; civilians forced into the navy against their collective wills. The ship contained their entire bloodline who only sought to escape from a draconian regime. Nathan could very much relate to their plight.

  “So, Nathan,” Edwin said, “you’ve met my family. Do you have one?”

  Every Athenian at the table froze. They all knew of his tragic past.

  Nathan forced a smile. “Yes, Edwin, I have a wife and two kids. A girl, four, and a boy, two.”

  “Excellent. I’m still waiting on my first grandchild. My kids are dragging their feet.”
A few chuckles from two of the officers who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Pruessen Captain.

  “We’ll start producing grandkids when we’re free,” one of them said.

  “I’ll not bring a child into a world ruled by the Emperor and his thugs.” Pure, undisguised bile from the younger brother. He looked at Nathan. “Captain Waugh, what are our chances of making it into League Space.”

  “Fifty-fifty.”

  “Let’s say we make it,” the elder brother said, “is it true that we can be relocated?”

  “Lieutenant Pitzen, despite your lack of choice in the matter, you are Pruessen naval personnel. It will be hard. But if I can get you into Athenian space, I will do everything in my power to see to your speedy assimilation into our society.” He snorted. “My family fled the north after the last war and were welcomed by Athens.”

  “It’s the same for me,” Doctor Jahn said. “But it’s better than the alternative. And Athens has an unbeatable lie detector, so that will help reinforce our case.”

  “Captain Waugh,” the ship’s doctor asked, “if I may ask, what happened to your hand.”

  Nathan nodded to Jahn who spoke to his counterpart in medical techno babble. He couldn’t just say I broke my thumb. Fucking quacks.

  “Sounds painful,” Doctor Schauble said.

  “It’s not too bad,” Nathan said.

  “When did this happen?”

  Nathan had to think about it. Jahn didn’t. “Forty seven days ago.”

  A month and a half? Feels like a lifetime ago.

  Nathan largely tuned out the doctors’ conversation. He didn’t care to be discussed as if he were a lab rat. Taking up the role of peacemaker, he continued to coerce conversations between Athenians and Pruessens. The rest of the meal continued with a gradual easing of tensions between the two crews. With the conclusion of the fine dinner, everyone was directed to a large reception area that contained every member of Odenwald’s crew and their families. Women and children mingled in small groups interspersed with crewmen.

  Nathan felt drained by the dinner. He understood the Pruessen’s plight and could very much relate to it, but at the end of the day they were Pruessens. He had hated them for so long that the thought of considering them to be human defied a lifetime of ingrained conditioning.