by C. R. Daems
I leaned toward Kris and gave her a hug. "Another battle ribbon, another step closer to admiral."
"Well that cleared the image of that madman on the conference room table shooting at us out of my mind. Now, it's missiles slowly dismantling the ship I’m in."
* * *
Twelve hours had passed and the wounded had been treated and essential repairs completed when MacLin invited Kris and me to dine with him and his XO.
"Thank you for filling in on the Bridge. As you know, the Lapis, Demeter, and Ares will be in the area within four hours. When they arrive, I plan to let them finish cleaning up and examining the two ships while we return to Oxax for repairs," MacLin said. "What's next for you?"
I closed my eyes as Red made his entrance, weaving into my hair and laying his head on my forehead. Probably my overactive imagination, but I would have sworn he wanted attention—not to-be-noticed attention but for me to pay attention.
"I'm not sure," Kris said. "I would like to roll up the merchants and Controllers and be done, but Anna wants to see what the Gypsy does when it discovers the robbery didn’t take place."
"Not Oxax," I said, shaking my head, not realizing I had said it out loud until I saw everyone staring at me. "I want to go to Eastar. Maybe Adrian and Rich could meet us there."
"After we get repairs—"
"No, I want to go now. Maybe Captain Thayer or someone else could take ... me. Kris, I don't know if you or the others should go, now that I think of it."
"If you go, I go," Kris said. "And if whatever you’re contemplating is controversial, then the team's action is controversial. I think Adrian and Rich will want to be involved."
"Jordan, if we transfer the wounded and dead and have eight to twelve hours to make repairs, can we make it to Eastar? I don't think I want to miss whatever NIA agent Paulus and Sinclair are planning."
Jordan closed his eyes for several minutes before speaking. "Yes sir, it'll be close with the environmental system only fifty percent. The old girl isn't pretty but she's still functional."
"What about this, Commander Paulus," MacLin said, acknowledging I had P1A authority and could use it if I wished. "We wait for the taskforce to arrive, transfer the dead and wounded to one ship, send another to pick up the rest of your team, and we can proceed to Eastar."
"Yes, sir. That short delay won't matter."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Westar: NIA Headquarters.
"All right, Anna, what are ... we planning?" Kris asked as she closed the door to her quarters.
"I believe the Gypsy merchant is the person who came up with the idea. He then put together a core team, people with contacts in each area: foreign raiders, local criminals, and the navy—"
"By the space gods ... Lultrel?"
"I suspect someone on her staff, not Lultrel, but she should be included, since I think someone in that chain of command is involved."
"Maybe we won't get our own NIA offices after all." she choked out a laugh.
"Kris—"
"We're a team. If I disagreed, that would be different, but I agree you may be right, so it's a rock we need to look under. It certainly is suspicious that they sent Cloud Chaser two keys."
"That's what also makes me think we got the last of the original cruisers."
"Original?"
"If you were the raiders and you lost two of your cruisers, it seems to me you would either pack up and leave or recruit more. These raids have certainly been lucrative enough to attract other potential raiders."
"If you don't mind being hanged or killed." Kris shook her head. "I’ll sure be glad when this is over. I think I would rather be court martialed than participate in another space shootout."
"Court-martials can be ... fun if you don't care about the outcome."
"I don't know what Red injects you with, but would you like to share? It must be good stuff since you think space battles and court-martials are fun."
* * *
I had the Lapis pick up Adrian and Rich without informing Stauffer or Rawls, using my P1A authority. I reasoned Stauffer would tell Rawls, who would tell Lultrel and insist we not go, or ... Kris agreed or at least didn't object.
The trip to Eastar took five days. MacLin was in a good mood and had dinner with us each night, which helped to break up the monotony. Kris had a couple of dates at the Officers’ Club, and I managed to get several tours of the various sections. I knew it would be the last opportunity on a war cruiser and wanted to enjoy every minute. The tours turned out to be very informative as I got to see the damage a space battle causes and the repair teams in action.
When we docked at the Eastar space station, Adrian and Rich joined us on the Vulcan for a conference. Kris and I sat while Adrian and Rich carried drinks to the table.
Finally Adrian sat and asked, "Are you two going to let us know why we’re here on Eastar? Is it because the Gypsy is here?"
"No. Our teammate has decided to question Lultrel—the same Vice Admiral who's Rear Admiral Rawls’s superior—and thought the team should be here."
"You're joking ... No, you're not. Why?"
"I think someone on her staff is providing the raiders information about the NIA investigation and the navy. I don't mind if none of you want to be involved ..."
"A team member wants, so the team member gets." Adrian grinned. "Although I have to admit that I never thought it would come to questioning a vice admiral. Rich, I think in this case you’re free to stay out of it."
"I would like to stay involved and help any way I can." Rich looked and felt excited at the prospect.
"Anna?"
"I think we're going to need the Eastar police involved. I'll want each person's residence searched and any communication equipment confiscated. And since the Gypsy is here, we might as well start by impounding it," I said, thinking out loud. "Colonel Pannell, can you arrange to get marines to board the ship without notice?"
"If you're invoking P1A authority, I'm sure Colonel Cross would enjoy the opportunity to exercise his marines."
Adrian nodded and I could feel his rising amusement. "All right, Colonel. You've the team's P1A authority to authorize Colonel Cross to board and secure the Gypsy, which conveniently is parked at this station. Kris, Anna, and Rich can explore the Gypsy while I make arrangements with the local police chief."
Pannell hurried out and several minutes later appeared with Colonel Cross.
"I understand that you are invoking P1A authority and want me to use force if necessary to enter the merchant ship Gypsy and secure it and its crew. Is that correct?"
"That's correct. I'm Lieutenant Commander Shrader and here is my P1A authorization. Lieutenant Commanders Sinclair and Paulus also have P1A authority and will want to search the ship after it's secure."
Cross unclipped his personal communication device. "Gunny, it's a go," he said, and smiled. "The team's on the way to the Gypsy. It should be secure by the time we get there."
"You think the Gypsy is involved with the raiders?" Cross asked as we used the sealed high-speed monorail to descend to the platform where the Gypsy was parked.
As Cross had predicted, a gunny stood outside the entrance bay with a slight twitch of a smile. He saluted. "All secure, sir. A lot of whining but no trouble."
Inside, forty men and several women were sitting on the floor guarded by ten armed marines.
A man cautiously rose and waved to get our attention. "I demand to know by what authority you've seized my ship," he said in a relatively normal if slightly louder voice.
"UAS P1A authority. For now you and your crew are being held for aiding foreign raiders. Don't bother to protest. You'll be given a trial and have an opportunity to state your case," Kris said.
As he opened his mouth to protest, I snapped, "Captain, I need the passwords for your system computer and any tablets,"
"No!"
"You've an interesting dilemma. I'm asking with P1A authority, so refusing will automatically sentence you to prison whether there
is anything incriminating or not on those devices."
"No!"
I turned away. "Colonel Cross, this man is no longer under arrest. He's now a convicted criminal for refusing to comply with a P1A request."
Cross nodded.
"Anna, where do you want to start?"
"Let Rich and me start on the Bridge." I looked at Rich and he nodded.
"Good, I'll start in the captain's office and quarters."
The Bridge on a merchant ship wasn't the magical place it was on a war cruiser, but the Gypsy had a well-equipped suite, including missiles and lasers. I operated each panel on the off chance something looked wrong. I was most interested in the Comm panel, and surprised when the two messages to the Cloud Chaser were still on the system and even more surprised to find the following message prior to the second to Cloud Chaser:
To: Gypsy
Urgent. Client unhappy with delivery location. send new location to him in forty-six hours.
"I'm afraid I couldn't get much from the system computer," said Rich, "but I'll bet there’s information to find, because I found several locked files. One I'm sure you’ll be interested in. It's titled Puzzles."
* * *
When we got back to the Vulcan, Adrian was there with a short stocky man with gray hair. Judging by the insignia and stars on his dark blue uniform, he was a senior officer.
"This gentleman is Mr. Kinard, the police commissioner for Eastar City. Commissioner, these are Commanders Sinclair and Paulus, and Lieutenant Gannon is the other member of the team," Adrian said.
"I understand you've the authority, but I'm still uncomfortable with the process. The admiral is not going to be happy."
"She'll be unhappy with us, and she knows you've no choice in the matter," Kris said.
"That usually doesn't stop people at that level from shooting the help." Kinard snorted. "What will be the procedure?"
* * *
We got Admiral Lultrel's attention by sending a message that we had urgent information relating to the raiders. When she arrived, we bolted to attention.
"At ease. So what is this urgent information?" Lultrel asked as she took the seat at the head of the conference room table.
"Ma'am." I remained standing, hoping to be the center of attention and divert attention away from Kris and Adrian. "Who are the people you told MacLin's task force was going to intercept the raider's cruiser?"
"People I trust." Her face showed no emotion but I could feel her anger.
"Ma'am, I'm requesting those names under P1A authority."
"Who do you think you are? I gave you that authority and I now revoke it."
Adrian stood. "Ma'am, you didn't give Commander Paulus P1A authority. The UAS council did, and only they can revoke it. You may, of course, have an inquiry into our conduct, but you must comply or destroy your career and do prison time."
"So you and Sinclair support Paulus's actions?" Her voice rang cold as space.
"Yes, ma'am," Kris said. "We've reason to believe the rendezvous with the cruiser was leaked. As a result, many navy personnel and marines were killed."
Lultrel laughed. "All right, let see what you’ve risked your careers for."
She had told only two officers. The commander in charge of the Eastar NIA office, Commander Wright, and her aide de camp, Lieutenant Commander Spalding. At our orders, the two were brought into the conference room along with Commissioner Kinard.
"This is a P1A investigation. I require all of your communication devices, and the passwords to those devices both here at work and at your residence."
I was met with stony silence.
"Ma'am, that includes you—"
"Paulus!" Lultrel stood and Pannell drew his weapon. "It's no wonder the raiders are trying to kill you. You're more dangerous than that red-headed krait who has just made its grand entrance." She sat shaking her head.
* * *
Having little choice, the three complied. While their residences were searched, we went through their communication devices at work.
I began with Commander Wright's tablet and started my search with sent messages on the assumption he would have deleted any incriminating messages and found it almost immediately—the word-for-word message to the Gypsy. I continued searching but found nothing further. When I was through, I gave it to Rich. I said nothing about what I found. There could be more to be found and disclosing what I found could stop or bias the investigation.
"I suggest we each keep our findings to ourselves until we’re all finished," I said, wanting to ensure we didn't bias each other and didn't leave any stones unturned.
Everyone nodded.
* * *
"Ma'am, we have evidence that Commander Wright's the leak," Adrian said as she and the team sat in her office late that evening. "We discovered a message on the Gypsy that warned their captain of a trap and told him to send a second key to the coordinates. We found that same message to the Gypsy on Commander Wright's tablet."
"I wouldn't have believed it." She sat back and took a large gulp of wine, which she had poured when she entered the office with us, stating she needed it after a day like this. "I had some evil thoughts about you. But you were right, and I was wrong, even in thinking I shouldn't be included. What is your recommendation now?"
"We believe the cruiser Captain MacLin destroyed was the last remaining one. In addition, we believe the raider organization has been destroyed and it only remains to round up the three UAS merchants that acted as messengers, and the three Controllers," Adrian said as our spokesman.
"I'll talk to Admiral Bell and update Admiral Rawls, as I doubt you told her what you intended to do." She shook her head. "I'll arrange rooms for you, as I want you to stay in Eastar until Admiral Bell has declared the project ended."
* * *
Two weeks later, we were called to Naval Headquarters for a meeting with Admiral Bell. I was surprised to find Lultrel, Rawls, Stauffer, MacLin, and Thayer also there.
Bell rose when we entered. "At ease. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. You're without a doubt the most decorated NIA officers in our history. NIA personnel seldom get Purple Hearts and never get battle ribbons or cruiser time … and never, ever submit the head of NIA to an investigation." He nodded to his aide de camp, who came forth with a bunch of velvet boxes.
"Lieutenant Gannon, you are awarded the Silver Star for your participation on the Raider Project Team. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Commander Shrader, you are awarded the Navy Cross and promoted immediately to Full Commander. Congratulations, Commander.
"Lieutenant Commander Sinclair, you are awarded the Navy Cross and promoted immediately to Full Commander. You also get another battle ribbon. Congratulations, Commander.
"And finally Lieutenant Commander Paulus," Bell said and stopped when Red decided to make an entrance, wrapping around my neck and laying his head on my shoulder. "Your medical dispenser, I'm told."
"And friend," I blurted, and was tempted to cover my mouth. "He adopted me when I was four, sir."
"Yes, that would make ... him a very dear friend. But he stops you from crew duty," he said, but it felt like a question.
"True, sir. I've loved every minute of my time on the various cruisers, but I would miss seeing my mother, and I love chasing bad guys."
"Lieutenant Commander Paulus, you are awarded the Navy Cross and promoted immediately to Full Commander. You also get another battle ribbon. Congratulations, Commander."
After several hours of small talk about our lives, Bell left and Rawls tapped a glass with a spoon, for attention.
"This is the team the NIA will always call on in the event of another major crime wave. Admiral Lultrel describes you as a cross between a bloodhound and a pit bull. I'm sure the smugglers and the raiders would agree. But ... NIA can't have three full commanders sitting around doing lieutenant work waiting on another major crime organization. Since right now you've almost unlimited credit, I'm going to give you a list of
NIA offices and let you decide among you which you would like. Anna, you also have a choice, but Admiral Lultrel would like you to consider the Eastar office."
But that's another story.
Novels by C.R. Daems
crdaems.com
talonnovels.com
SCIENCE FICTION:
The Riss Series:
- Book I: The Riss Gamble
- Book II: The Riss Proposal
- Book III: The Riss Survival
- Book IV: The Riss Accession
- Book V: The Riss Challenge
The Red Angel Series
- Book I: Smugglers
- Book II: Raiders
The Black Guard Series
- Book I: Least Favorite Child
- Book II: Evolution
FANTASY: EPIC
The Shadow Sisters Series
- Book I: The Shadow Ryana
- Book II: The Shadow Gypsy
Zara the Wolf
The Seer Renee
Talon of the Unnamed Goddess
Women of Power
Scales of Justice
URBAN FANTASY / ADVENTURE
Kazak Guardians Series:
- Book I: Lynn's Rules
- Book II: The Unthinkable
ZAP Agent Mathis
SUPERNATURAL/HORROR
Laughing Hounds
Guardians of Evil
