by C. R. Daems
On the afternoon of the fourth day, my tablet buzzed with an urgent message:
To: Lieutenant Commander Sinclair, Lieutenant Commander Paulus
Report to the UAS Cruiser Janus tomorrow by fifteen hundred hours. Captain Dixon is your transportation to New Zheng and then wherever you need to go next.
From: Commodore Stauffer
The next day I picked Kris up at her condo and we arrived at the spaceport's shuttle just before noon and were delivered to the station at two fifteen in the afternoon. There was no line when we reached where the Janus was docked. A lieutenant commander stood waiting. Kris handed him her ID, which he checked, and then held out his hand for mine.
"The captain said he wanted to speak with both of you immediately upon your arrival. He didn't sound in a good mood, so I would be careful." He waved us into the bay, where a petty officer waited. He gave us a quick salute.
"Commanders, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the captain's office." He then turned and began a double time walk.
"Petty Officer, stop," Kris shouted. "Slow down. We've luggage, and we can't leave until our security team has been checked in. An extra couple of minutes isn't going to matter."
"Ma'am, something has upset Captain Dixon and he's ... not in a good mood, and he said he wanted to see you immediately upon your arrival." His voice just above a whisper.
"Petty officer, you can run if you want and let him know we’re on the way, but we're going to walk. Unfortunately, we know the way." Kris looked to me and shrugged in puzzlement at the petty officer's nervousness.
"Yes, ma'am," he responded and slowed but kept checking over his shoulder to make sure we were still behind him.
When we arrived at the captain's office, Major Pannell was there waiting. The guard knocked, peeked in, and then opened the door for us. Kris and I stepped in, braced to attention, and saluted. I noticed Pannell had also entered.
The captain frowned at him but turned his gaze back to us.
"About damn time you arrived. I've been ordered to transport you to New Zheng. I don't like it. Especially Paulus. You ruined a good officer's career and should have been court martialed. Instead, you only received a slap on the hand. Well, on this ship you've no access to the Bridge ..." His eyes flew open as Red decided to make a entrance, sliding out of my sleeve and working his way to my neck, where he laid his head on my shoulder facing the captain. "And that foul pet of yours will remain in a cage—"
"Kris, I'm leaving," I said. "He's hurt Red's feelings." I didn’t care if it constituted behavior unbecoming an officer or was insubordination.
Kris nodded. "I agree."
Dixon's face was red with rage. "Get back here or I'll see you court martialed!" he shouted, and when we didn't stop, he said, "Corporal, arrest those two."
As the corporal began to raise his weapon in our direction, two of our security guards—slammed him against the bulkhead and removed his weapon.
When I looked back, Pannell had his gun pointing at the captain.
"Captain, if you draw that gun out of that draw your hand is in, I'll shoot to kill. You're about to step over the line into a prison sentence for interfering with NIA officers in the performance of their duties."
"Major, I'll see you court martialed along with them. I command the Janus. Here, my authority is absolute."
"Sergeant," said Pannell, "I've called the team here. You're to see the commanders safely off the Janus and to wherever they wish to go. I'll remain here with Corporals Dobbs and Lowe to make sure the captain doesn't interfere. Inform me when you're off the Janus. You're authorized to use deadly force if necessary."
"Yes, sir," said the sergeant as the drumming of footsteps could be heard approaching from down the hallway.
Kris and I followed the group of marines through the ship and out into the space station. Using our P1A authorization, we were put on the next shuttle to the planet, and from there we were escorted back to the NIA office.
"What happened?" Adrian asked as we entered the room, but before I could answer Stauffer entered.
"Rawls has been getting calls from the Janus, the space station, and Major Pannell. You appear to have upset a few people." Stauffer looked concerned.
Since I caused the problem, I spoke before Kris could. "I felt threatened by Captain Dixon, so I left. Kris had no choice but to follow," I said, not wanting Kris involved. Red lay on my shoulder watching Stauffer. I idly wondered if Red appeared and lay there because he wanted fresh air and liked my shoulder or whether he was interested and wanted to see the person or to be in a position to protect me. I smiled to myself—maybe all three.
"I left with Anna because Captain Dixon's behavior was out of control and he was issuing unlawful orders," Kris said, moving closer to me." She went on to give a concise recap of our encounter from the moment we arrived on the Janus.
Stauffer just shook his head, and I could feel his overwhelming worry. I felt sorry for him. He had the team, the project, and Rawls to contend with—all with conflicting interests.
"Stay close," he said. "I don't imagine this is going to take long to resolve, since the raiders aren't going to wait while we settle the issue." He left the office, probably to await word from Rawls.
"You did the right thing," Adrian said after Stauffer had left.
"Ah, but does that mean everyone will see it that way? Last time, Sharat wasn’t charged and Anna got a letter of reprimand," Kris said, referring to the inquiry into the confrontation between Captain Sharat and then-Lieutenant Paulus.
"Mother says a few more reprimands like that, and I'll be on the fast track to admiral."
"That's not the point." Kris looked ready to stamp her foot for emphasis.
"I agree with Stauffer. Rawls has to resolve this quickly," Adrian said, and we fell into silence.
* * *
Two hours later, we were called to Rawls’s conference room. Rawls, MacLin, Thayer, Hardgrove, and Pannell where there when we arrived.
"Sit," Rawls said when we entered. "We have a problem. In a way, I feel responsible for not having had Captain Dixon here where I could've had him meet Paulus and Sinclair and explain the mission and ... Red. On the other hand, I doubt it would have helped, because of his close relationship with Captain Sharat. He was her XO for four years and feels she got him his promotion to captain. Fortunately, he set up a camera to record his initial meeting with Paulus and was stupid enough to bring it to me as proof you and the major should be court martialed." She shook her head in disbelief. "I've ordered him back to Eastar to report to Admiral Bell with the camera’s chip, which I sealed in a pouch used for classified material." She looked to me. "Paulus, do you want to press charges against Captain Dixon? His conduct certainly constituted conduct unbecoming an officer, at the very least."
"No, ma'am. I don't want the captain punished, but I would have been afraid to travel with him."
"And rightfully so. Good. But that doesn't solve our immediate problem, which is the raid on New Zheng. We need you and Sinclair in New Zheng, but we no longer have a ride for you."
"We could ride with Captain MacLin or Captain Thayer," I offered. "If necessary, they could transfer us to another ship at New Zheng."
"MacLin?" Rawls asked.
"I don't see a problem. To be safe, however, we should transfer them to another cruiser in New Zheng. If another cruiser isn't immediately available, maybe whoever is on patrol could pick them up until their ride shows up."
"Sinclair, Paulus?" Rawls asked.
Kris looked to me and I nodded, crossing my fingers we didn't encounter another Dixon.
"Major Pannell," said Rawls, "I'm going to ask General Alfaro to issue you P1A authority, too. You were on very thin ice with Captain Dixon. Even though you did the right thing, he could have told Colonel Tarver to send his Janus marines to arrest you. The situation could have escalated out of control. These agents are the key to stopping the raiders, so there is no higher priority."
"Yes, ma'am, I unde
rstand," Pannell said. I could sense his determination and a hint of nervousness. Past events had demonstrated that nowhere could be assumed safe.
* * *
MacLin had Kris, the marines, and me taken to the Vulcan and assigned quarters while he prepared the ship to depart. Two hours after departing the Oxax space station, he asked to see us in his office.
"You two have had more than your share of excitement on this assignment," he said after we had drinks and were seated.
"If I were you, Captain, I don't think I would want us on my ship." Kris grinned. "We do seem to attract trouble."
"You two are very brave. I think most people in your positions would have resigned by now, or at very least refused to leave the office." He took a sip of his coffee. "What do you have to do in New Zheng?"
"We have to monitor the local Internet, hoping to find three things: the exact date the raiders are going to make contact with the Controller, the date of the raid, and hopefully ensure the GPS coordinates are correct."
"You're thinking they might change the meeting location?"
"We're assuming the Controller is watching the patrols for a pattern before he decides on the date, and if he can, he’ll discern the area the patrol is least likely to check. I would, and they aren't stupid."
"When we get to New Zheng, you can check the WavCom for any messages from Admiral Rawls. You're welcome on the Bridge at any time and to use my new…" He smiled. "…conference room. I would welcome you to stay on the Vulcan, but you'll need to be at the space station to monitor the local Internet, and the Vulcan may see action if you're successful in locating the raider's ship."
* * *
"Captain, Admiral Rawls sent you a message," Kris said as she finished searching the WavCom shortly after entering New Zheng. "I've forwarded it to your tablet."
Kris held out her tablet so I could read it over her shoulder.
To: Captain MacLin
Copy: Lieutenant Commander Sinclair, Lieutenant Commander Paulus, Major Pannell.
No cruiser immediately available. The Bacchus will meet you tomorrow, its next scheduled patrol date, at one hundred hours at 2.70 degrees, 2 hours 10 minutes 13 seconds, and 1.8 astronomical units for the transfer. The Hermes is en route and scheduled to arrive the following day. They can make the transfer at the space station. Major Pannell has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and his P1A authority is attached.
From: Admiral Rawls
"Nav," said MacLin, "when we reach New Zheng, set a course for 2.70 degrees, 2 hours 10 minutes 13 seconds, and 1.8 astronomical units."
* * *
"Good morning, Commanders," said a tall middle-aged lieutenant commander as we exited the Vulcan shuttle inside the Bacchus shuttle bay. "Captain Moore sends his apologies, but we're in the middle of our mandated patrol. If you wouldn't mind waiting to meet him until we've finished, he would appreciate it. He would like to invite you to join him for breakfast tomorrow at eight in his dining room, if that's convenient for you."
"Tell the captain we'll see him then," Kris said.
"Good, I'll see you to your quarters, and someone will come get you when it's time. Colonel, Gunny will see to your detail." He took us to the officers’ quarters and gave us a two-person room with a fresher. "Sorry, but it was short notice, and you'll probably be leaving us tomorrow."
"This is more than adequate, Commander," Kris said, looking around the room.
He nodded and left.
"I'm starting to feel like crew," Kris told me. "We’ve been on four cruisers, and tomorrow it'll be five."
"Think of it as looking really good on your service record. It's the price of being on the fast track."
"More like a run-away train," She quipped as she got ready for bed. "With our luck, Bacchus will probably run into the raiders tonight."
"Then we'll get one more battle ribbon."
Kris threw her pillow at me.
* * *
We woke at oh six-thirty hours, washed, and dressed in time for our escort, a petty officer, to take us to the captain's dining room.
He was standing along with another woman when we entered.
"Good morning, Commanders. I'm Captain Moore and this is my XO, Commander Diaz," Moore said. He was an average looking middle-aged man with a stocky build and a round face, which looked friendly. Diaz was by contrast a tall lean woman with curly red hair and an angular face, which was studying me.
"I'm NIA agent Sinclair and my companion is NIA agent Paulus," Kris said.
"My understanding is that the Hermes is en route and should arrive tomorrow morning, and at that time we're to transfer you to the Hermes. The timing is good, as there will be no patrol tonight. If it isn't classified, can I ask why?"
"We're here to determine the date, time, and location that the raider's cruiser is scheduled to meet their contact on New Zheng for the raid on the Zuno Pharmaceutical Company," Kris said.
"So these patrols weren't intended to locate the raiders," Diaz said more as a statement than a question.
"No. We want the raiders to think we stumbled upon them by accident. Otherwise, they'll realize we understand their current methodology, and they'll change it in which case we might lose them."
"Makes sense. My orders wanted the patrols performed randomly on three consecutive days but not on the fourth. Seemed odd at the time, but orders are orders." He shrugged. "Help yourself to breakfast while it's still hot."
"I understand you've a venomous snake." Diaz’s gaze never left me.
As if he knew he was wanted, Red emerged from my jacket and wrapped around my neck with his head facing Diaz.
"I've the Coaca virus. It turns out the poison from a red-headed krait can keep the virus in check. It's not dangerous, since it never leaves me. Our relationship is symbiotic."
"So how are you going to find the date and time for us?" Moore asked, changing the subject as we found seats.
"I need access to the local Internet. We know the site that will have the post we’re looking for."
"You’re welcome to use the Bridge communications. That'll provide you the access you need. Are you expecting it to happen soon?"
"No. They have a complex method of communicating, so my guess is that we've a week or more. And I assume the Controller has been watching your patrols, so the date will be one of the days you don't normally patrol."
"If you need anything, just let us know."
The discussion turned to our security and a recap of our most recent incidents.
Moore laughed. "I'm the captain of a war cruiser and you've seen more action than I have. Well, if you find me that raider ship, I'll put you on my Christmas card list."
Careful what you wish for, I mused, thinking about Sharat and her rush to engage the smugglers, which almost resulted in the destruction of her ship and its crew.
Moore took us to the Bridge, introduced us to the crew, and got us a connection to the local Internet. Kris let me take charge. I created a new user account with a local provider, then logged on to the website we would be monitoring. It turned out to be a chat room for people interested in Master Puzzles publications. Not knowing where the Good Deal was at the present time, I selected all entries from the estimated meeting date with the Hobo—one hundred twelve entries.
"Thank you, Captain. I know the post shouldn't occur until the Good Deal arrives in New Zheng, but I thought it wouldn't hurt for us to look at what constitutes typical posts."
"Anna, let's get lunch and then we can review the posts while we wait for the Bacchus," Kris said. We had a quick lunch and then retired to our quarters.
"Flaming balls of dose!" Kris screamed, jumping to her feet. "The Good Deal has already posted the dates, and the Controller's responded. They were under Miscellaneous Posts."
My tablet buzzed and two posts appeared:
Holly, I'll bet you cannot solve the last puzzle in four days starting tomorrow. Goodman.
Goodman, You're on. I will start today but I will give you 40, no 4
4 days that's how sure i am you can't. Holly.
Kris was right. The first message was from the Good Deal, not Goodman, and it was intended for the Controller, not Holly. Holly identified the Hobo as the merchant that would carry the Controller's response to the raiders. The second message was from the Controller designating today as the day of the raid and also changing the location from 40.6212 –84.0224 to 44.6212 -84.0224.
"That means the raider's cruiser is already in New Zheng's space," I said as I rose. "We need to check on the location of the Good Deal and the Hobo just to verify the message."
We exited the room and double-timed for the Bridge, where we found Commander Diaz on duty.
"Commander Diaz, you need to contact the captain and do whatever is necessary to prepare the ship for a patrol tonight," Kris said between gasps.
"Tonight is a down night."
"We believe the raid is tonight. Commander Paulus needs the Comm panel to verify it," Kris said.
When Diaz nodded, I slid into the communications officer’s seat and used my NIA authorization to check the arrivals and departures for the past forty-eight hours. Ten minutes later I found the two ships.
"Captain on the Bridge!" someone shouted as Moore entered looking excited, with Pannell only a few steps behind him.
"Commanders?" Moore’s glance went from me to Kris.
"It's confirmed, Captain. The Good Deal arrived two days ago and left yesterday. The Hobo arrived yesterday and left a few hours ago. We've confirmed the messages we found are valid. The raid is tonight," I said with mixed emotions—we were on the wrong ship.
"We have to get you off this ship," Moore said, mirroring my thoughts.
Kris looked pale. "Paulus and I have rewards on our heads, and the Controller here will have hired help to watch your ship," Kris said hesitantly. I knew she didn't want to be on this ship if it were going to war, but that duty compelled her to stay if going would jeopardize the mission. "If they identify us, they'll know it's a trap and who knows the consequences. Best we stay if the Bacchus doesn't arrive before you need to leave the station."
