Starcruiser Polaris: Blood of Patriots

by Richard Tongue

   “Marc Armstrong.”

   “Never heard of him.”

   “Not surprised. Joined after the war. Got quite a few powerful friends. By reputation, he's competent enough in a brutal sort of way. Rather a good match for the new Fleet.” He paused as they stepped into a waiting elevator, then added, “Arcturus was at Mars. They'll probably send her. And you do know her skipper.”

   “Who?”

   “Diaz.”

   “You're joking.”

   “No,” he replied, shaking his head. “She made Commander five years back. Threw herself back into the Fleet, worked like a demon to shake off the stigma. It might have taken her a decade longer than it probably should have done, but she made it in the end, and she's the one I'm really worried about. No bad words about her from anyone, and she's the same officer you knew back in the Uprising. Cool, calm, confident, and a tactical genius second only to the guy I'm talking to right now.”

   “And she has a Starcruiser at her disposal. Who has seniority?”

   “Armstrong, which is the one card in our hand. Though I wouldn't be surprised if she overrode him. That hasn't changed, and she's smart enough to know that nobody will ask questions about the officer who brings you down.” Frowning, he added, “It'll be personal for her. Taking you out will put her career back on track. Though I know her well enough to know that she'll hate every moment of it.”

   As the elevator staggered through the decks, Rojek continued, “I ran into her at Lopez's funeral, about ten years back.”

   “The kid? What happened to him?”

   “A better-funded version of what happened to you. He couldn't take it. Overdosed on God only knows what. It's just you, me and Liz left from the old crew now. Everyone else has either died, one way or another, or went missing on Polaris when Caldwell took her into the dark.” The doors slid open, and he asked, “Your son was there, as well. Standing in for you.”

   Curtis' face reddened, and he replied, “How was he?”

   “Shouldn't you know that better than me?”

   “We haven't spoken since his graduation. I tried to talk him out of staying in the Fleet.”

   Nodding, Rojek said, “I've heard stories about that meeting. He'd just made Lieutenant around then. Word I have is that he's up for promotion to Commander, slated for a ship of his own. The boy's doing well.”

   “Even lumbered with my last name.”

   “Enough people know the truth about what happened that it hasn't been the handicap you'd expect, Teddy. You've got a lot more friends out there than you think.”

   Stopping in the corridor, Curtis turned to Rojek and said, “The truth is that I gave the orders that killed ten thousand people. We can blame Caldwell all we want, but at the end of the day, I was in charge, and the ultimate responsibility for what happened was mine, and mine alone. You don't have anything to regret. Just me.” Looking around the corridor, he said, “That's why I'm out here right now. Not because I think we're going to succeed, because you and I both know the odds against us. We're going out just like Diaz did, except that we're getting someone else to pull the trigger. Diaz, maybe. That would almost be appropriate.”

   A frown fell over Rojek's face, and he replied, “If you truly feel that way, Teddy, then we're as good as dead now, and you'll be the one to pull that trigger. If a man thinks that he's going to die in the morning, he'll find a way to make it happen, and you'll take the hopes and dreams of a few million people down with you.”

   “If we're throwing tired old proverbs around, Felix, how about the one that says there's nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing left to lose.”

   The two of them stepped into Sickbay, a harried, gray-haired woman looking up as they entered. Only one of the beds was occupied, an exasperated Cordova lying strapped in place, connected with a tangle of cables to the medical monitor.

   “She isn't getting up for three days,” Haggard said. “That's final. I think she'll make a full recovery, and so does the computer, but I don't want to have to poke around inside her if she strains herself trying to move about more quickly.”

   “Hence the restraints, I presume,” Rojek replied, struggling to suppress a smile.

   “This isn't funny,” Cordova said. “The most important operation of my life, and I'm stuck in Sickbay. Come on, Haggard, I'm sure there's something you can inject me with to keep me on my feet. Whatever it takes.”

   “Soldier,” Curtis said, “shut up and soldier. This isn't going to be over in five minutes. You're still thinking of this as a quick operation. It's the opening shot of a war. You're not going to have any significant down time for months, maybe years, if we pull this off.” He glanced at Rojek, and said, “We've got the ship under control, and I'd have to be the one to go over to the station anyway.”

   “Too risky,” she protested.

   “I hate to break it to you, but I'm the only one remotely qualified to work out whether this guy is spinning a web of lines or has actually found my ship. Felix knows a little, but I've got the experience. Tom and I will go across.”

   “Tom? The bartender?”

   “I've known him for more than a decade. And I trust him. Besides, he's got some contacts over there that might be useful, non-rebel.” He paused, then said, “I presume someone over on Sinaloa has arranged to knock out interstellar communications.”

   “For a while, anyway,” she replied. “But it's only a matter of time before they hand-deliver the message on a Starcruiser.” Looking over Curtis, she added, “You've shaved.”

   “And showered. Repeatedly. And I haven't had a drop of alcohol since we left.”

   “That's something, anyway. You're beginning to look a little more like an officer. You'll have to watch out for that when you go over there.” She turned to Rojek, and added, “You're keeping him on the straight and narrow?”

   “Just like I used to when we served with your father,” the veteran replied. “I know it doesn't come easily, Gabi, but you're just going to have to relax for a while. Most of the crew have joined us, and...”

   “Some of them will almost certainly be traitors, planted in the crew,” she said.

   “Which is why I have people watching them, and locked the internal security network to respond to Teddy and I alone. There's no way they can do anything without us knowing about it. We've got this.”

   “I hope so,” she replied. Looking up at Curtis, she said, “I'm not sure I see it. Not yet.”

   “See what?”

   “The spark my father told me about. I grew up hearing stories about you. I don't know if that man still exists.”

   “Neither do I,” he replied, “but I only know one way to find out, and I don't have anything better planned for the next few days.” Taking a seat next to her, he glanced up at Rojek, and said, “We're scheduled to return to normal space in a little over twelve hours, and right now all I know is that some guy on Sinaloa Station sold someone a conduct sheath. If we're going to make this mission work, we need to be briefed.” Glancing at Haggard, he said, “Can you page Tom for me?”

   “Sure,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I have nothing better to do than act as your gofer.” She frowned, then said, “Remind me to give you a checkup. You're looking pretty good for someone who's lived a life as hard as yours the last few years.”

   “I'll take that as a complement,” he replied with a smile. “So, Major, I guess you'd better get started. And don't leave anything out. I'm not going to be able to break off in the middle of a firefight and ask for directions.”

   “The worst part is,” she said, “that might not be the joke you think it is.”

  Chapter 5

   Kani stepped through the hatch, pushing into the crowded concourse of Sinaloa Station, the smell of sweat and spice assaulting him as he took his first taste of the local atmosphere. Dozens of people were forcing themselves from the transports, all of the
m eager to absorb themselves into the general population as rapidly as possible. Colonial Security would be monitoring, naturally, but the bulk of them were simple smugglers, or agents for collectives illegally breaking the decades-old blockade. Enough money changed hands to ensure that all but the most grievous violations were ignored, but Kani still wouldn't feel safe until he'd made his way deeper into the station.

   For the present, he allowed the crowd to sweep him in their chosen direction, into the jumbled maze of stalls and shops that made out the docking area, a hundred traders plying their wares, desperate to be the first to fleece the new arrivals of the contents of their wallets. Pausing at a fast food stand, he tossed a forged credit chit in exchange for some nondescript meat jabbed onto a bamboo stick, coated in some sort of bitter black goo that smelled vaguely of cinnamon. One bite confirmed his worst suspicions, and he quickly tossed it into a waste chute, looking around for another vendor to buy something to remove the acrid taste.

   “You just here to play tourist, or are we going to get on with this?” Voronova asked, moving to his side, locking her arm into hers. “Too many of these people have curious hands for my liking. That hasn't changed very much.”

   “Lead on, darling,” he replied with a smile, causing a scowl to momentarily break out on her face. “Where are we going?”

   “Bottom end of the concourse.”

   Kani caught Nguyen out of the corner of his eye, shadowing them at a distance, keeping clear in case something went wrong with the plan. The Commonwealth had at least a limited covert presence here, on every border station, but there was only so much they would be able to do if Colonial Security moved in. The black-uniformed figures were ubiquitous, scanning the crowd, sonic shotguns slung over their shoulders, able to stun the entire concourse into submission if they so chose. And they didn't recruit for good manners.

   “The Pink Pussycat,” Kani said with a sigh, looking at the bar they were heading for. “It just had to be, didn't it.”

   “Not many ColSec types hang out down there,” Voronova replied.

   “I don't blame them,” he said, as they passed through the double doors under the watchful gaze of the bouncers on either side. Harsh music thumped from the speakers on the wall, a dance floor occupied by a dozen couples showing no interest in anything but each other, giggling, chattering people scattered everywhere. The place didn't live up to its reputation, looking like a slightly down-market version of any spaceport bar he'd ever visited.

   Walking over to the bar, he got the attention of the man at the counter, who looked over the two of them and asked, “What'll it be.”

   “I'd like a Manhattan,” Kani replied.

   “We're out of vermouth.”

   “Then make it without.”

   “That'll taste disgusting.”

   “That's my problem, not yours.”

   Nodding, the bartender gestured at the far end of the room, saying, “She's waiting for you.”

   “Good,” Kani replied, leading the way as the two of them walked towards the bathroom. Nguyen slipped into the bar, mingling with the crowd on the dance floor, picking a partner at random from the appreciative crowd. She flashed Kani a quick nod, too swiftly for anyone else to notice. At least someone was watching his back out there.

   The stink of vomit and urine was almost overwhelming as Kani and Voronova made their way into the bathroom, both of them gagging as they stepped through the doors, careful to avoid at least the worst of the stains on the floor. Inside, the first cubicle was closed, a sign encrusted to the door with layers of filth announcing that it was out of service. With the toe of his boot, Kani pushed his way inside, reaching for the flush and tugging it twice to reveal a hidden door on the wall, leading into inky darkness beyond. He stepped through, coming face to face with an auburn-haired woman wearing ColSec uniform, a pistol pointed at his chest.

   “Intelligence really knows how to show someone a welcome,” Kani said, shaking his head.

   “We didn't put this place together to throw a party. The smell tends to discourage the search teams, and let's just say that I've been less than overzealous about monitoring them in this area.” Glancing at Voronova, she said, “You both match your description, but I'm going to be sure.” She tossed Kani a scanner, and he pricked his finger on the sensor, the machine harvesting a drop of blood for a hasty scan.

   The light flashed green, and he said, “I'm who I claimed to be.”

   “So it would appear.” Folding her arms, she said, “Katherine Saxon. Deputy Head of Station Security, at least nominally, though I also hold the rank of Commander in the Commonwealth Fleet. Meaning that I outrank both of you, and I suggest that you do not forget it. I don't know what you're doing out here, but I've spent eight years building up our network on this station, and I have no intention of throwing all of that hard work down the drain for some crazy scheme. I know you have orders from Commodore McKinnon, but that only got you as far as this meeting.”

   “We're looking for someone,” Kani said. “An independent scout, Jack Keranos. And we know that the Underground want him as well, in connection with an equipment deal.”

   “Not enough.”

   “Ma'am,” Voronova began.

   “It's need to know, ma'am,” Kani pressed, “and with all due respect, you don't. I'm here to do a job, and you can either help me, or get out of my way. Which will it be.”

   A smirk danced across her face, and she said, “You've got your grandma's fire, I'll say that. Fine, Squadron Leader, I'll let you take the lead on this one. Your friend outside seems to be doing a pretty good job covering for you, but I'll have a couple of my own operatives watching out, just to be on the safe side. Not that I don't trust you, but I need to make it clear that I've got to look out for my own people first. I can let you commit a few minor infractions, but anything serious and I'm going to have to notice. Got that?”

   “Understood,” Kani said. “With a little luck, this should be a quick snatch and grab.”

   Nodding, she replied, “We're running around after saboteurs at the moment, anyway. Three days ago, someone blew out our rift generator. Meaning that we've got no way of calling anyone outside the system, because the smart guys back on Earth decided that we didn't need a backup system. I very much hope that isn't anything to do with you three.”

   Shaking her head, Voronova said, “We've only just arrived, ma'am, and our mission profile didn't mention anything along those lines. As far as we know, we're here for one job. Though I suppose...”

   “No need to waste time with speculations, Lieutenant,” Kani said. “Probably the Underground trying a distraction play. It's a classic move. And one that can work to our advantage, I guess, if you've got people hunting around below decks.” Before Saxon could say anything else, he asked, “Where can I find Keranos?”

   Her eyes darted between the two of them for a few seconds, narrowing in suspicion, but she replied, “He's got an office up on the Fifth Level. Nice view of Coronado. Only recently rented. Before that he worked out of an apartment down in the underdecks. Somehow, he came into a lot of money recently. And yes, he did arrange the usual bribes with the shift watchman.”

   “Smuggler?”

   “Probably. On this station, everyone's either cracking rocks for uranium or moving stuff on the contraband list, in or out. After a while, you work out what you aren't meant to be paying attention to. Though I haven't noticed Keranos being on anyone's list, not yet.” She paused, then said, “I'll pull the records for you, if you like. Track down where he's been lately.”

   “No need,” Kani replied. “That might draw attention. I think a personal interview should provide us with everything we need.”

   “As you say. I'll be watching, Squadron Leader, but don't take it the wrong way when I tell you that I very much hope that we don't run into each other again.”

   Nodding, he turned, leaving the room, stepping back out
into the bathroom. He paused, turned to Voronova, and said, “As soon as we get back out into the bar, slap me around the face as hard as you can, and storm out. Head for the elevator.”

   “What?”

   “Everyone out there saw the two of us going to the bathroom together. This way they'll just think I went too far. I be surprised if the Underground doesn't have people in here.”

   Shaking her head, she replied, “You do this often on covert missions?”

   With a shrug, he said, “Whatever the occasion demands.”

   “Fine,” she said, waiting for them to get close to the bar before clapping him on the cheek with enough force to send him staggering into the wall, screaming, “Get the hell away from me, you pervert!” With a look of total contempt, she stormed off through the crowd, the dancers parting to allow her to pass, while Kani struggled to his feet, rubbing his chin and walking over to the bar, Nguyen waiting for him with a cocktail at the ready.

   “That had to hurt,” she said, pushing a drink towards him. “I dropped a couple of painkillers in it for you.”

   Taking a sip, he gagged, and quietly said, “That hasn't done anything for the taste, but my aching jaw thanks you. At some point we've got to teach her how to throw a punch.” Downing the rest of the drink in one, he added, “ColSec's going to be watching our backs.”

   “Is that good, or bad?”

   “I don't know,” he replied, glancing back at the door. “Saxon gave in to my demands just a little too easily for my liking. Maybe I'm just jumping at shadows. We're heading for the Fifth Level, anyway.”

   Pecking a kiss onto his cheek, she said, “Let's go, lover.”

   Shaking his head as the two of them walked out of the bar, he said, “Now you've really confused the locals.”

   “Always good to give them something to talk about,” she whispered into his ear. Taking his arm, she walked with him to the far elevator, staying well clear of Voronova as she angrily forced her way through the crowd. “Just out of interest, did you tell her she was acting as the decoy?”