“I’m not sure that I see the connection,” said Steiner.
“In short the idea that they’re well off today while other worlds are less fortunate, that they are actually able to use robotics in their daily lives, unlike out on the fringes, makes many on those worlds increasingly hard line on their anti-machine stances. Especially on those worlds where their ancestors were AI supporters,” I explained, “in good times they’re given to loudly decrying the AI’s, their own culture, and even passing legislation to give out reparations to survivors of the cost-benefit ratio and the descendants of resistance fighters.”
Spalding snorted.
“It was before your time but fifty years ago we got a fifty credit rebate on our taxes back on Capria because of a Confederation wide reparations bill,” he chuckled.
“But in bad times they might send out war fleets while the Border remains at a quiet simmer, is what you’re saying, Sir?” asked the Intelligence Officer cocking her head, “but doesn’t that only make my original question; do we really need these droids around, even more pertinent and immediate than before?”
My nostrils flared as the Lieutenant kept pushing her agenda.
“I have no love of droid kind, Lieutenant,” I said evenly, “sentient machines in general can go to Hades for all I care and I don’t mind helping out to make that happen either.”
“Then with respect I fail to see what the problem is,” she said firmly, “the droids served their purpose and it’s time for them to go to that Hades.”
“Unfortunately what I do love, Lieutenant, is my word,” I said meeting her eyes and holding them, “and in return for helping us to save two entire sectors of space from their own kind and another Sector, this one right here in 25, from the Imperials, was the promise that they could stay in Tracto. That promise makes it a little hard to reconcile myself to genocide.”
“Genocide requires, Sir, something these machines are decidedly lacking in,” she shot back.
“My point still stands, Officer,” I snapped, “I promised them life and now I’m to be the one to plant the knife in their back?” I shook my head, “No.”
“Some might point out that no oath, promise or vow to a machine is valid or legally binding,” she said looking down at me with that scar below her eye.
“Yeah well they’re not me,” I retorted, “I didn’t save three sectors and get this fleet as far as we’ve come by knifing my allies in the back at the first convenient opportunity. If and when the droids turn on us we’ll annihilate them and not before.”
“Some will consider the mere idea you believe machines to be your allies, our allies,” she corrected and then pause before continuing, “to be not just a violation of first principles but an outright betrayal of the entire human race.”
I barked out a harsh braying laugh.
“Anyone that thinks they could have done a better job is welcome to send a war fleet into my Sector,” I said standing up and thrusting a finger down onto the table with punishing force, “they will soon find things are not nearly as settled out here as they might like to believe. There are still plenty of anti-human threats out here just waiting for the chance to fall upon us. They want to let me do the heavy lifting and then come complain about the job I’ve done?”
“Let them come,” I said witheringly, “really I’m begging them to send out their warships.”
“I hear you, Admiral,” she replied, “however despite whatever you believe,” she lifted a hand, “and I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m fully behind you on many points.”
“Just not the one where I keep my words to a bunch of machines, right?” I asked.
She frowned and then nodded.
“Correct. Even if you can’t appear to bloody your hands you could always act against them covertly,” she observed.
“Thus breaking my word in private but not for all the world to see,” I said sardonically.
“Or if acting against them yourself in any capacity is against your moral code there is a simple solution. You can issue all the orders you like about leaving the droids alone and then just sit back and allow these mutineers to strike first. From the sounds of it they have a plan to end the droid threat, one that would allow you to keep your hand clean in the proverbial sense,” she pointed out.
“I’m not in the habit of letting other people solve my problems. Not unless I’m the one maneuvering them into the situation not the other way around,” I said and then took a deep breath, “your point is well taken and if this were the sector government acting I might take a difference stance, although I doubt it, but for the sake of argument let’s say I would. This is not a case of an outside force acting against my allies but instead a group of disaffected crew rising up in a bloody mutiny to take control of my warships and possibly even end my life. You really expect me to stand by while they storm the command decks of my battleships or seize the gun deck and turn my weapons to their own purposes.”
She winced.
“People will not understand killing humans to save droids. Just like they don’t understand you not just allowing but encouraging these machines to settle in human space,” she said finally, “the uplifts were bad enough but at least they have genes, they are flesh and blood, their basic code originates from the same home world that was the cradle of humanity, arguments against genocide are valid and in truth are the very reason they were exiled beyond rim of known space in first place. Frankly I don’t see any world other than Tracto accepting both droids and uplifted in their star system and upon their world without a violent and bloody uprising.”
“Look your points are well taken, Lieutenant,” I said working to keep control of my temper, “and I appreciate your read on the situation. However Tracto technically is beyond the Rim of Known Space and as you yourself just pointed out the Tracto-an people have no more problem with the droids and uplifts in their star system than they do with the rest of the ‘Starborn’ population.”
Spalding snorted loudly.
I looked at him and rolled my eyes before turning back to the Intelligence Officer who I could see was unconvinced.
“Do not make the mistake of presuming things are as settled as they appear. Not only am I against turning against allied ships period end of discussion but I think mistaking this calm before the storm for an actual lack of enemies to be a grave mistake. They are out and waiting for us Lieutenant. Waiting for us to slip up and make a mistake,” I said without a shred of proof or evidence just my gut feeling which said that as soon as I let my guard down someone would pop out of the woodwork to rain on my happy occasion.
“Then we will continue to have anti-machine sentiment among this fleet and potential mutinies like this will remain a very real threat going into the future whether home grown or instigated by outside forces,” she warned, “but you’re the Admiral. I can only make the recommendations.”
I opened my mouth for another retort when I was interrupted by the old cyborg stomping up to the table.
“Look I think I know more about identifying a good droid from a bad droid than any man or woman at this table,” he said taking off his tool belt and dropping it on the table, “but future problems are in the future. Right now we’ve got a bucket load of unharmonious blighters looking to rise up in bloody mutiny and overthrow the command structure of this ship,” he thumped the table with a hammer hand, “we can pee and moan about quislings and the anti-machine league all day long but none of that will save any one of us in this room if the blackguards are allowed to go about their dirty business in secret.”
“Then what do you suggest, Spalding?” I asked.
“We don’t know who they are but we can find out and even more important we know where they plan to hit,” he said with a gleam in his eye, “and even more important there’s not a slacker born that won’t get off his backside and move when you put a bottle of rotgut on the break room table and then have to step outside for a word with one of the crew.”
“I don’t see what
whiskey has to do with anything, Commander,” said Lieutenant Kelly, “we need to draw out these mutineers, identify and arrest or kill them, not get them drunk on illegal substances.”
“In this case the whiskey’s the droids, Lieutenant,” Spalding said with a wink, “if we want to draw them out. Well there’s nothing a slacker likes more than if you do half his job for him and then leave the keys to the maintenance locker laying around. All we have to do is quietly move our lancers and marines into position and then position the ship near some droids. The mutineers will do the rest of our job for us.”
“Thus exposing themselves to us. Brilliant,” Lieutenant Kelly nodded and the old engineer preened.
“The only problem I can see with that is the droids are not here in Gambit and have no idea how to get here. We’d have to move the Royal Rage back to Tracto,” I said.
“Would that be so bad?” shrugged Spalding.
“First will this mutiny hold off long enough for us to go back to Tracto,” I said ticking off points on my fingers, “second and just as importantly, how certain are we that they’re all going to be gathered here aboard the flagship. I’d hate for us to think that they’re all over here onboard with us meanwhile we’re gone over at Tracto and the rebel uprising takes place simultaneously across the fleet.”
“The mutineers we nabbed sure seemed to think everyone was moving over here but then they were low level, not a real leader in the bunch,” Spalding frowned starting to look worried.
“I think my team will want to speak with those mutineers personally,” said Lieutenant Brigit Kelly.
“I wasn’t aware you had a team yet,” I interjected.
The Lieutenant smiled enigmatically.
“I’d like to make use of the deep space commandos for security, Admiral. I understand their protocols and am used to working with them,” said the Intelligence Officer not answering my question.
“Deep space commandos?” I lifted an eyebrow.
“The same unit that accompanied your wife during her boarding attempt of the Invictus Rising,” Lieutenant Steiner whispered in my ear.
My lips made a flat line, then I chopped my hand through the air to the right.
“Fine, re-task the Commandos from wherever they are currently,” I said making a mental note to have Akantha liaise with this commando group and insert some of her people into its command structure as advisers or observers or whatever. Kelly came highly recommended by Lieutenant Steiner but my Chief of Staff was a former communications technician and I didn’t know this new Intelligence Officer. Trust but verify, and make sure you to keep a very large stick nearby in case you need to beat off disloyal intelligence officers supposedly working to suppress a mutiny. I didn’t know this woman from Eve herself, so until I’d seen her in action a few times I would take precautions.
“Thank you, Sir,” the intelligence officer said gratefully.
I looked at her with narrowed eyes. Wondering if I was making a mistake.
“Then if no one else has anything I think we should break for now to let Lieutenant Kelly and her team interrogate the prisoners. In the meantime I’m going to increase security on the command deck and throughout the ship,” I ordered.
“Increasing security may tip our hand to the conspirators,” said the Intel Officer.
“That’s a chance we’re just going to have to take,” I said rubbing a thumb over my upper lip as I thought, “better yet… you know what you’re probably right. Instead we’ll have a series of war-games between the marines, the lancers and these deep space commandos you’re bringing in. We can use the arrival of this new group and the war games as a cover for the increased presence with no one being the wiser.”
“That could work,” said Kelly, “I won’t need the entire commando group for the interrogation and the enhanced security presence will have an easy explanation.”
“I’m glad you agree because even if you didn’t I wouldn’t be leaving my family exposed to these rebels,” I said my jaw working.
The Lieutenant nodded and stepped back.
“There’s a reason families generally are not allowed to accompany flag officers onto their ships, Admiral,” my chief of staff said clearing her throat with evident embarrassment.
Spalding nodded. “But they’re here lass and they’re not going anywhere,” said the ornery old engineer, “however might you not want to consider moving them over to the Station or the Clover, Sir?” he said looking at me, “at least temporarily.”
I shook my head an iron entering my heart at the thought of my little baby boys and girls being under threat because of me and these blasted mutineers.
“Whatever the long term solution for these droids are doesn’t matter at this moment. I’m not risking sending my family away only to hear how their shuttle blew up because the maintenance crew was penetrated or they were attacked on the station because a mutinous liberty party tried to storm their quarters. I want them right here where I know they’re safe. The time for reevaluation will be after we know more,” I said with finality and then stood up, “go out there and get me more information. In the meantime I’m going to have a talk with Captain Hammer and bring her up to date.”
“The more people we bring into the circle of knowledge means the more chances word will get back to the mutineers,” warned Kelly.
“If Hammer’s compromised then it doesn’t matter what we do the decks of this ship will run with blood. I’ll handle the captain you hand the interrogation. Dismissed,” I said, “and not so much as a word to anyone outside this room without authorization. No one who doesn’t already know finds out until after I give permission. Not your work mate, your buddy or your lover.”
“Aye, Sir,” said Spalding echoed by the rest of the staff.
I turned and walked out of the room. I needed more information but in the meantime it was time to take precautions of my own. Spalding’s reminder that I had a duty to my wife and kids not just the fleet was a timely one.
Chapter 45: Akantha and Jason
I stepped into our quarters with one hand in my pocket and saw Akantha sitting at a work station bouncing one of our daughters on her lap while typing away with one hand and humming some kind of Tracto-an tune under her breath. I flicked a switch, pulled my hand out to wave at her and stepped into the room.
I started to soften at the domestic sight of my wife and children but then the boot of one of her Tracto-an female life guards came into view and my smile slowly wilted. The sight of a pair of nannies and three more Life Guards taking up positions in various other place turning my otherwise spacious quarters into a cramped living space just reminded me of all the ways I’d already failed my children. From before the day they were even born they were under threat.
Crazies, loonies, Parliament and its agents, not to mention droids, pirates, Imperials and everyone else under the sun, right now even members of my own crew wanted me dead or catering to their whims like a puppet on a string.
It was time to take action.
I cleared my throat and Akantha looked up in surprise, then smiled a cautious greeting.
I took a moment to give her back a wholehearted smile of my own, and then grimaced.
She cocked her head and I made a swirling motion of my hand gesturing to the maids and bodyguards.
Akantha nodded and handed our daughter to one of the maids.
“If I could have the room please,” she said in a clear voice one that didn’t brook any disagreement.
With only minor hesitation the room cleared.
“What can I do for you Protector?” she asked as soon as we were alone.
I opened my mouth and then hesitated. I’d been hurt one too many times.
“What can you tell me about the deep space commandos?” I said instead of what I really would have liked to say or for that matter what probably should have said.
Akantha looked surprised and her brow furrowed. The name obviously not ringing a bell.
“Its supposedly the
same unit that assisted you during your boarding of the Imperial Command Carrier, Invictus Rising,” I said helpfully.
Comprehension dawned on her face.
“A steady band,” she said with confidence, “an allied unit,” she warned, “but good fighters. Not the absolute very best warriors I’ve seen since leaving Tracto but they were steady in the face of danger. Respectful even though they did not consider themselves personally loyal to myself, but rather an attached force sent by their home world, Border Alliance fighters if I remember correctly,” she said with a slow nod, “they claimed to be ground fighters originally but I believe after going into battle with them that they are similar in many ways to Wainwright’s marines, having seen both forces in action by now.”
“So you think they’re reliable, excellent,” I said.
“So long as you do not cross their bottom line or their homeland does not send orders to the contrary I believe they are reliable,” she warned.
“That’s all I needed. Thanks,” I said pursing my lips.
“Was that all you needed?” she asked with surprise and to my eyes a small amount of disappointment.
I grimaced.
“No. You’re right there’s more,” I said unhappily.
“Tell me, Protector and I will listen,” Akantha said.
“Protector is it?” I frowned.
“Jason then,” she smirked.
“That’s better,” I grinned and then my smile melted away, “although after you listen to me you might want to go back to the Protector nonsense,” I sighed.
Akantha hesitated and then with a determined expression came over and grabbed my hand.
“Whatever it is you can rely on me,” she said simply.
I couldn’t help but give her a quizzical look.
“I swear it,” she said firmly, “and as you know an Argos girl always keeps her word. Especially if she’s the heir of the ruling household.”
Admiral's Nemesis (A Spineward Sectors Novel: Book 11) Page 36
