by M. D. Cooper
The man muttered a curse as he slowly drew a handgun out of his waistband and handed it carefully to Tanis. “You may have got us, but there’ll be more. There’s so much money on your head that people are lining up to take you out.”
“I guess they better fill out their expense reports in advance.” Tanis didn’t let her weapon waver a millimeter. “Because a few people have expressed similar sentiments in the past, and as you can see, I’m still here.”
He dropped two guns on the deck and she stood with her weapon on him for several minutes, not speaking, until a TSF unit showed up and took the man into custody. Leading them was Joseph.
“Commander, I have to admit I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I was actually taking a maglev to admin; they screwed up my flight plan filings again and I was going to ream out the person responsible in…well…person. Anyway, the main route is backed up, so I used the lateral on this level. I picked up your message on the Intrepid’s security net; met these boys en route.”
Tanis nodded and looked to the TSF Regulars. “Corporal. Take this man into custody. I haven’t had a chance to check him over thoroughly. I want him detained in the security center on A9.2. Take these leftovers with you.” She gestured to the body on the deck.
“Sir.” The corporal saluted and two of the men with him began doing a weapons scan on the man. The third strapped an antimag bar to the dead man and activated it. The corpse lifted off the ground and once the weapons check was complete they took the prisoner and body away.
REFINEMENT
STELLAR DATE: 3227213 / 09.17.4123 (Adjusted Gregorian)
LOCATION: GSS Intrepid, Mars Outer Shipyards (MOS)
REGION: Mars Protectorate, Sol Space Federation
“You’re going to need to take an escort with you from now on,” Admiral Sanderson said after Tanis reported the attack.
“As much as I hate the notion, I agree.” Tanis nodded. “In fact, all senior and key personnel should have an escort. It would be far worse if Abby or Earnest was killed than me.”
“They’d have to leave the ship first for that to happen.” Terrance laughed.
Sanderson grunted his assent. “On the upside, this will probably help out in getting that moronic resolution the Marsian legislature passed overturned.”
Tanis laughed. “Stevens sent me a formal apology for the security breach, though there were undertones in his message suggesting he thinks I set it up. He’s probably cursing his heart out in that tacky office of his. As far as security, we’ll use Forsythe’s MCSF platoon for security details, a fireteam for each VIP, and keep Grenwald’s men for tactical responses.
“Are you certain that won’t stretch our resources too thin?” Terrance asked. He had come up from Mars to check on the status of several key milestones in the engine tests and invited himself to the meeting.
“I’ve got more TSF Regulars being called in for our normal security duties. Lieutenant Ouri now has six companies under her, which is causing some issues as they obviously are all run by commanders. GSS first lieutenants are close to the rank of TSF commanders, but it’s starting to cause some issues. I haven’t had to back up her orders yet—a testament to her tenacity—but she is spending more time making sure they aren’t doing things their way than I’d like. She’s due for a promotion shortly and I’d like to push it through.”
Sanderson nodded. “No reason not to. She’s colony, so it’s not like we’re messing up someone’s organization. Send me the appropriate files and I’ll see that it happens with all due haste.”
“I don’t know that I’ll need one of your teams,” Terrance said. “I’ve got my own private forces that are second to none.”
“That you do, sir,” Tanis replied. “And when you’re on the MOS they’ll be augmented by one of the Marine fireteams. Your guys may be good, but they don’t have the resources we do, or the ability to legally start shooting holes in whatever gets in their way.”
Terrance wore his dangerous smile again. “I see your point, Major.”
Captain Andrews brought the discussion back on track. “Though I have no issues with added security, I would prefer to see the threat removed, rather than abated. Have we made any progress in tracking down who is behind all of this?”
Tanis hadn’t seen much of the captain over the last few weeks, but the signs of his efficiency and enthusiasm for the project were everywhere. She could always tell the quality of a captain by his ship, and Andrews was top notch.
“We’ve got a 94.7 percent probability that it is a Jovian concern backing these actions. From the looks of it, two of the attacks that happened before I arrived were actually anti-terraforming groups. Once we excluded all data pertaining to those incidents, we were able to hone in on a few key banks on Callisto and Titan. A large number of shell corporations and even extra-solar interests were in-between, but we navigated past them. Those banks only deal with the top tier of corporations in Jovian space. We’re definitely looking at an industrial opponent.”
“I suppose that makes sense,” Terrance said. “They would definitely need big money to pull off what they’ve done so far. And there are several companies in Jove’s sphere that would like to take me down a notch.”
“Three hundred and ninety-two, from what I can determine.” Tanis smiled. “Though only two hundred and seven use those banks.”
“Ouch…I didn’t realize it was quite that high. I wonder what the solar total is.”
“Seven hundred and four,” Tanis supplied.
Terrance laughed ruefully. “Wasn’t wondering that much.”
“Sorry, sir. I’m told I tend to be a bit too literal sometimes.”
“So do you have any top suspects?” Captain Andrews asked, fingering his silver hair.
“A few, sir.” She fed a stream of data into the conference room’s net and a list of companies and their particulars rose up over the table.
“First off we have Barum, Inc. They manufacture ES components and were in a very large bidding war to supply the Intrepid—mainly the components for the ramscoop. They lost the deal; the company, which was already in a downward spiral, went down further. One of the owners has made personal threats against you, Terrance. They recently managed to pull themselves out of the toilet and now have the capital to carry out what we’ve come up against. They’ve also had several other dealings with your companies that have left them…well…soured.”
“I can see how they wouldn’t be my biggest fans.” Terrance nodded as he looked over the data. “I didn’t think they were that far along on their recovery, though.”
“They recently had a very large sum come back from Tau Ceti, either after being laundered, or possibly as a return on an investment. Their corporate statements for that period aren’t yet public and we’re having to tread carefully in ‘accessing’ records in Jovian space, what with the latest flare-up in the federal government.”
Captain Andrews nodded. “Your caution is wise. I can see how money from Tau Ceti would move them up your list.”
“Aye, sir. We’re looking into their activities quite carefully. We’ve also got a few other Jovian interests, but none that match up quite so well: the Arnell, Stellar Dynamics, Neutron Cartwright, and Mallar Isotopes.” As she listed off each one, corporate information rose above the table, coupled with the data points that potentially linked them to the attacks, or the funding thereof.
“There is also, of course, the STR consortium,” Tanis added. “They don’t have any particular reason to dislike you, sir, but they are building the GSS Dakota and we all know how much they are frothing at the mouth to get the New Eden colony. Especially after the latest data the FGT has sent back.”
“Can’t say I blame them.” Terrance nodded his agreement.
“Right now we’re following up on all of those leads and should know more for our next briefing.”
“Very good, Major.” Admiral Sanderson nodded. “You’re dismissed.”
Tanis rose and sa
luted the men before she left the conference room.
“Quite the laundry list of suspects.” Captain Andrews steepled his fingers as Tanis walked to the exit. “Though considering all of the possibilities, it is a fairly succinct tally.”
“Well, I hope we find out who is behind this sooner or later. With those critical engine tests coming up I have enough on my mind,” Terrance said.
INTERLUDE
STELLAR DATE: 3227213 / 09.17.4123 (Adjusted Gregorian)
LOCATION: Stellar Comm Hub #129.A.236.B.945.C-294
LAKE CABIN
STELLAR DATE: 3227216 / 09.20.4123 (Adjusted Gregorian)
LOCATION: GSS Intrepid, Mars Outer Shipyards (MOS)
REGION: Mars Protectorate, Sol Space Federation
Tanis was wrapping up some administrative logs before the end of the second shift when Ouri poked her head into her office.
“Evening, Major.”
Tanis looked up at the commander. The last week or so had seen a change in Ouri. Her commander’s bars had given her an increased sense of authority and her job performance had gone from great to excellent. The added clarity to the chain of command was also improving the efficiency of the units under her; as a result, the entire security organization was vastly improved.
The best part of all was the visible improvement in Ouri’s character. Tanis wasn’t certain if it was the smaller gap in rank between the two of them, or the lower stress level from having a smooth-running operation, but the end result was a much more personable subordinate.
“Commander, good to see you. How are things?”
Ouri smiled and Tanis returned it in kind. “Quite well; I’ve got all the reports filed and up to date.”
“I never worry that you won’t,” Tanis said.
“So, I was wondering if you’d want to come down to my cabin for dinner.”
“What? I’m being invited to one of the infamous Ouri cookouts I’ve heard so much about?”
“Well, sir, I would have invited you before, but a lot of enlisted and junior officers come down. I didn’t think you’d really want to mingle—separation of rank and all that.”
“Rules and regs, I wouldn’t want anyone thinking they’re all chummy with me and that I’ll let things slide,” Tanis replied with a grin.
Ouri chuckled. “I think you have absolutely nothing to worry about on that front.”
“So what warrants the invite now?” Tanis asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Well, sir, now that I’ve also moved up the chain it doesn’t seem quite right to be spending too much time with the people under me, at least in the smaller gatherings. I’ve just invited officers, or civilian department heads from around the ship. I thought maybe you’d like to come. Mostly it’s people from here at the SOC.”
Tanis looked down at the plas on her desk and considered all of the work she had to do, but decided that the irony of going to a log cabin on a lake that happened to be inside one of the most advanced starships ever built was something she couldn’t miss out on.
“Real cookout with fire and everything?”
“Big fire, sir.”
Tanis grinned. “Call me Tanis when we’re off duty.”
…………………………
The cabin was just as Tanis had pictured it.
It sat at the edge of a lake, not a large one, just a kilometer across or so. A young forest was growing up around the waters. The trees had been accelerated and were perhaps ten meters in height. A slip with a canoe tied to it jutted into the water. Up a small path was a clearing with a thick lawn and, set back against the trees, a homey cabin.
“This is really your quarters?” Tanis asked.
“Yup, I go to bed here and wake up here in the morning.” Ouri nodded.
“How on earth did you swing this? I mean, aren’t there millions of people lining up to be on the botany side of this mission?”
“I know a guy who knows a guy.” Ouri paused, a mischievous smile playing at her lips. “That and I spent over a hundred years on various terraforming ventures. I’ll be co-managing the north continent’s stage 3a terraforming when we get to New Eden.”
Tanis stopped, regarding Ouri with a calculating look. “I’ve read your file. There’s no mention of any of this in it.”
“Well, I have two separate registered identities. There’s no link between them.”
“That’s…unusual.” Tanis ran a hand through her hair, stopping when she realized she was doing it. If Ouri wasn’t being so casual about it she would have been very suspicious.
“The short version is that I was at the wrong end of the pointy stick a few times when I was managing terraforming projects. GSS pulled me into their protective custody and I found I really enjoyed that line of work as well. I enlisted and well…here I am.”
“So now you can kick ass and terraform planets.” Tanis laughed. “That’s quite the unusual combination.”
Ouri chuckled. “It certainly wasn’t what my career advisor mapped out for me.”
No one else had arrived yet, and Ouri led Tanis into the small cabin. Inside was a dichotomy of clutter that matched what she now knew about Ouri’s dual life.
“This is both everything and nothing like what I expected,” Tanis said.
“I live to be an enigma,” Ouri grinned. “Would you mind taking those two baskets out to the fire pit? I’ve got to change out of this uniform.”
Tanis looked down at her own dress uniform and sighed. She should have stopped off at her quarters to change. After carrying out the baskets she came back in to see Ouri running a brush through her hair. She was wearing a red and yellow sundress that looked quite stunning on her. It was always amazing how much better people looked in civilian clothing.
“You’re going to get all the boys.” Tanis laughed.
Ouri looked down at herself and then over at Tanis. “Sorry, I guess I didn’t think you’d have anything else. You know how it is with us juniors; we figure the SOs must have been born in their uniforms.”
“You realize you’re a senior officer now too.” Tanis smiled.
“Damn…just when I thought I’d gotten used to it, my subconscious reminds me I haven’t.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“I do have a few autofit dresses you could look at.” Ouri led Tanis into her bedroom and after a few minutes they picked out a sedate blue sleeveless dress that came down just past Tanis’s knees. It snugged up to her body and she examined herself in the mirror.
After borrowing Ouri’s brush Tanis helped carry the last loads out to the fire pit—platters of meat for the night’s feast.
“Real meat?” Tanis asked.
“Yup, from right here in Old Sam. First generation; we’ve been testing out the protocols for herbivore initialization.”
“Where do you get the time for all of this?” Tanis asked as they laid condiments out on a wooden table. “I mean…I work you to the bone.”
Ouri smiled as she lit the grill. “Well, I make time for the things I love. I’m pretty good at this stuff, but I also seem to be pretty good at keeping people from blowing the ship up. They’re kinda interconnected.”
Tanis laughed. “So they are.”
“I also offload a lot of stuff onto Amy Lee.” Ouri chuckled as the grill came to
life.
“God does she ever.” Amy Lee came strolling down the path with Terry Chang in tow. They had several baskets full of beverages, which appeared to be mostly of the alcoholic variety. “I’d complain to her boss, but that she-devil would probably figure if I had time to complain I must have time for more work.” Amy Lee grinned, but then stopped short, her face turning red as she realized who she had just spoken to. “Uh…er…Major. I didn’t recognize you out of uniform.”
Tanis smiled at the second lieutenant. “We’re informal here, Amy Lee. Besides, I’ve got a really thick skin.”
“It’s actually true.” Joseph arrived with a few others. “I’ve needled her both physically and verbally to prove it—as you can see I survived to tell the tale.”
Tanis felt a small jolt of elation that Joseph had shown up. She had been hopeful, but didn’t want to come right out and ask Ouri.
“Yeah, but only just barely.” Tanis cast Joseph a stern look. “Amy Lee’s one of the ladies, she gets special dispensation. You’ve about used up all of your get out of jail free cards.”
Joseph put on an innocent face. “Me? I’m a paragon of cooperation and agreement. I have to be. I saw what happened to all the other men under you who didn’t toe the line.” He winked at Tanis as he stepped past her to put his load of bread down on the table.
Her gaze lingered on him a moment too long and he brushed against her shoulder at the same time. Tanis looked away and caught fleeting expressions of recognition on the faces of Terry and Ouri. It would appear the attraction growing between her and Joseph wasn’t going unnoticed.
Their thoughts were obvious on their faces: so the major was human after all—and apparently falling for the dashing young commander. Too bad they were in the same chain of command.
