Steven Gordon 3: The Modloch Empire

by J W Murison

  The Americans were dropped off first and the shuttle continued on to the fleet’s command carrier. They only had to wait a few minutes to be seen.

  The President’s office closely resembled the oval office. He immediately got up and shook both their hands. He even bowed to Komoru.

  He sat back down with a great smile on his face. ‘I am so happy to see both of you back. Congratulations to both of you for the part you played in keeping Earth safe. You deserved every accolade you received. Are your crew all fine?’ They assured him they were.

  ‘We are now moving on to a different phase. As you know, our bid to become full members of the federation has been ratified. Although we as yet do not receive the same benefits as the rest of the alliance, and certain conditions have been placed against us, the Earth itself is now safe. The dangers now come from those outside of the federation. We are still at war with the Albany. If they catch you, they will kill you and turn you into paste for serum. There is still a bounty on any human caught.

  ‘We are not allowed to attack their home world or they ours. If our forces are engaged in anything more than a skirmish then there may well be a ruling made against both of us. They don’t like members of the federation fighting with each other. As a probationary member we need to avoid all such clashes. We are not there yet.

  ‘In a few weeks we have to send a small flotilla to join the federation’s fleet. While they are part of that fleet they will come under command of the federation and will not be allowed to take orders from anyone else. Communications shall also be scrutinized. They are allowed to keep us appraised of some aspects of what they are doing but not all.

  ‘This doesn’t really concern either of you. However, I believe it is something you should be aware of. Within the federation fleet Albany and Human will have to work side by side. Albany who work for the federation have all the powers of the federation but are not allowed to attack you. I have been assured that they will not. All members of every crew have to swear an oath to the service of the federation during their tour of service. A crew member of any ship can ask to join the federation forces permanently. We have no right to stop them doing so. The core of federation forces is made up by individuals who have done exactly that. They serve and protect the federation. They consider themselves the elite and expect to be treated with respect. You most certainly need to be aware of that. I am sending you both a complete information pack. You and your crews need to be made aware of everything in these packs.

  ‘Both of you are going to be goodwill ambassadors for Earth. As such you both need to be at the top of your games; as will your entire crews.

  ‘In a few days’ time, when it can be arranged, you will both undergo a formal induction. This induction will take a number of weeks and will have an exam at the end of it. You both need some form of higher education certificate from a formal institute, but I believe you have both gained one, haven’t you?’

  Steven answered for both of them. ‘Yes sir, we both have advanced navigational certificates from the Modloch Royal Academy of Science.’

  ‘That is perfectly acceptable, well done both of you. What we aren’t going to do is to allow you to swan about the universe on your own initiative. That’s a no go. You will receive official invitations. Travel permissions and permits have to be arranged.

  ‘Remember, you are only goodwill ambassadors and not official ambassadors. You will not have to undergo the pomp and ceremony they do. However, you will be expected to undertake certain ceremonies. These you will learn about in the next few weeks. Do you have a ceremonial guard?’

  ‘Komoru already has hers sir, and mine should be arriving about now.’

  ‘Excellent. The information you need is being sent to your ships. Good luck to both of you.’

  CHAPTER 60

  ‘What are you bunch of muppets wanting?’ Charlie asked the group huddled in the airlock.

  ‘You can cut that crap right from the start Murison.’ A large figure pushed himself to the fore. Next to him stood Charlie’s friend Eddie, grinning from ear to ear.

  ‘We are the ceremonial guard attached to our goodwill ambassador, your Captain.’ He poked Charlie in the chest. ‘And you are now back under my direct command.’

  Charlie’s mouth fell open. ‘No.’

  The Bear gave him another poke. ‘Oh aye Murison. No more skiving off for you.’

  The look on Charlie’s face said it all. The men fell about the airlock in hysterics.

  The Bear caught up with Steven when he returned to the ship. Steven asked him down to his private quarters.

  ‘Sit down, help yourself to some tea. This would normally be a formal interview, but I don’t think that is necessary given the fact we already know one another. So what do you think so far?’

  The Bear’s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.

  ‘I have to admit this ship is beautiful Steven. Although having a radio inside my head is going to take a bit of getting used to.’

  Steven smiled, ‘Don’t worry you soon get used to it. Did the doctor tell you that everything you say and do is also recorded?’

  ‘Yes, I have to say my jocks weren’t too pleased about that. I am a man down. My second in command, Captain Marks, has been sent home on compassionate grounds, and we have no one to replace him. In fact, I would rather wait until he returned. Could you lend me an officer until then?’

  Steven was already aware of the problem. ‘You have two sergeants, one full corporal, a lance corporal and a dozen men. There are three officers: a Lieutenant, Captain Marks and yourself. Correct?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Why do you need two sergeants?’

  ‘I don’t, but I rip the tapes off Charlie and Eddie at regular intervals. It won’t be too long before one of them is a private again. Especially now the two are back together again.’

  ‘I have a suggestion. You may not like it. Why not make Charlie your second in command until Marks returns? You are a man top heavy for these ceremonial duties anyway.’

  ‘I was hoping to be three men top heavy. It is always useful to have a couple of spare bodies. However, command wouldn’t listen. Charlie is the only spare body I have. He is hardly officer material though... Captain Marks is a very old school gentleman. An autocrat, very much like Tapper. Used to dealing with bureaucrats, which is going to be crucial during this mission.’

  Steven grinned. ‘I understand your concerns. How much experience does Captain Marks have with some of these aliens?’

  ‘Same as the rest of us Steven. Apart from shooting a few, little or nothing. I have had a little more than some.’

  ‘Do you know where Charlie is right now?’

  ‘Ten minutes ago we were ripping the pish out of him in the canteen.’

  ‘Well, five minutes ago he was asked to attend the Modloch Emperor.’

  Bear frowned. ‘The Modloch Emperor, what for?’

  ‘Probably to make him a cup of tea.’ Steven grinned.

  Bear shook his head. ‘What?’

  Steven spoke aloud and sent a message to Charlie. ‘Babes, patch us in to Charlie’s communications link. We want to see and hear what he is doing, and up to.’

  ‘Yes my heart.’

  A few seconds later the wall changed to a screen and they could see what Charlie was seeing.

  ‘Is that you Stevie?’

  ‘And Bear, Charlie.’

  ‘What do you want?’

  ‘Just letting Bear see you in action.’

  ‘Don’t get ye?’

  ‘Just go with it Charlie.’

  ‘Aye OK. Well I have come through the spaceport. They now have a wee beam-in area for us. I’m on the shuttle, as you can see. I’ve been asked to report to the royal residence.’

  ‘We are just going to watch Charlie.’

  ‘OK.’

  When Charlie arrived at the royal residence he was waved through every check point. It was obvious to Bear that every other visitor was being thoroughly checked. Within th
e great halls he was approached by an individual.

  ‘Hey Charlie.’

  ‘How’s it going Gord?’

  ‘Busy with all these ceremonies.’

  ‘How’s your lord and master today?’

  ‘Been in a bit of a mood lately. Maybe your visit will cheer him up a bit.’

  Charlie shrugged. ‘Don’t know why Gord, all I do is pour him tea and answer a shit load of questions.’

  ‘Who cares? If he is in a good mood it makes my life easier.’

  ‘True.’

  ‘Anyway, your Captain and the Captain from the other Builder ship are going to be new ambassadors, right?’

  ‘Aye that’s right.’

  ‘Are you going to be one of your Captain’s official escorts?’

  ‘I believe so.’

  ‘Have you a dozen men for each ship, ordinary ranks, three NCOs and three officers, one of high rank?’

  ‘We are one officer down and one NCO extra on my ship but Captain Komoru has the recommended number of officers and men along with Lewis, who is her personal bodyguard.’

  ‘Lewis... is that the dark skinned one who is larger than most Humans?’

  ‘That’s him.’

  ‘A personal guard for a female dignitary is acceptable. You could also act as a personal bodyguard for your Captain. He would need to be someone of great importance and high rank within the Human race though. The Emperor has ordered Commodore Janex to see to your people’s training personally.’

  ‘Janex? Is that the wrinkly old fart that shines like a new button and always looks down his nose at me, like I’d just taken a shit on his boots?’

  Gord laughed aloud. ‘That’s him. He normally only trains people for a full ambassadorial role. It is a great honour. If you wish to use his services you will have to get yourselves to the Modloch home world. Your captains will have to undergo their ambassadorial training there anyway. If I was your commander, I would take full advantage. Your people will also have to live in the barracks. There are thirty man rooms for ordinary ranks. That should accommodate both your ships. There are four man rooms for NCOs, two man ones for junior officers and single rooms for senior officers. You will need to replace that officer right now. You can’t go into this half arsed. Janex will toss the lot of you out the door.’

  ‘Sounds quite serous.’

  ‘It shouldn’t be too bad Charlie, your captains are only good will ambassadors. Full ambassadors and their escort are expected to be shit hot.’

  ‘Have you done it?’

  ‘Of course. It’s the route to the Imperial Guard. Good will ambassadors first, then if you are good enough you get a job with a full ambassador. The best of the best get elevated to the Imperial Guard.’

  ‘And you are the best of the best of the best then?’

  ‘I was, until you kicked my arse across that room and hung me upside down out the balcony window by my ankles.’ Gord snorted.

  ‘Oops! Sorry about that.’

  ‘What’s done is done.’

  ‘No hard feelings?’

  ‘None. Not now anyway. You taught us a very important lesson. None of us could understand how such a diminutive race could have beaten the Albany. We learned the hard way. But we are Imperial Guardsmen. We now train harder than ever.’

  ‘You mean to beat any Humans that may threaten the Emperor?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Glad to hear it Gord. I wouldn’t trust some of my race as far as I could throw the bastards.’

  Gord snorted, ‘Every race is the same Charlie. Anyway, Janex will want to know what you are doing. If you decide to work from your ships he won’t work with you. You will receive other instructors.’

  ‘So to get him we will have to live in barracks.’

  ‘Yes. He will want you under his thumb all the time. He is a hard task master but universally credited as being the best. I can let him know if you wish. Give me dates and Janex will take care of the rest. He will send your commander a list of requirements that need to be met.’

  ‘I haven’t even been briefed about this role yet Gord, let alone been party to any command decisions. I don’t even know if there is to be one person in charge of both guards or if they are to work independently. If I know the Bear though, I bet he would go for it.’ Charlie made a swift decision. ‘Tell him yes, and we will get in touch with him regarding the dates as soon as a decision is made.’

  ‘A wise choice.’

  ‘Aye well. It’s not my choice to make; it could well come back to bite me in the arse.’

  ‘What you haven’t done is lost that opportunity. If your commanders are stupid and refuse then that is their loss.’ Gord looked up. ‘I am heading over to C-section now, passing engineering. Are you going to visit the Chief later?’

  ‘I’ll pop in before I return to the ship.’

  ‘I will let him know. He will be glad to see you.’

  ‘Is he keeping under the Emperor’s radar these days.?’

  ‘Trying hard, but the Emperor just loves to kick his arse for some reason. Twice this week he’s had him in.’

  ‘Poor bastard. Never mind, I got the biggest jar of pan drops I could for him while on leave. That will cheer him up.’

  ‘What are they?’

  ‘Sweets.’

  ‘I might pop in and try one.’

  ‘You’ll be lucky. He hides them.’

  ‘Right, got to go Charlie. He is in his lounge on A5.’

  ‘Got ye Gord. Catch you later.’

  Bear had been sitting forward on his couch shouting, ‘Grab it, grab it Charlie.’

  Steven intervened. ‘You can’t shout it Bear, you have to think it.’

  Bear sat back sigh. ‘No matter, he has gone for it. That bugger Murison knows me better than I thought. Can he really just swan about the Emperor’s palace any time he likes?’

  ‘Both here and on the Modloch home world.’

  ‘Did you hear about his fight with the Imperial Guardsman?’

  Steven shook his head, ‘That’s the first I heard of it.’

  The screen went snowy for a second and then went blank. ‘What happened there?’

  ‘He must be getting close to the Emperor. They can block our communications.’

  Bear nodded. ‘So I basically have an inside man. Is that what you are trying to tell me?’

  ‘Pretty much. And you heard what Gord said there. You need to replace that officer now, before we get to the Modloch home world. Charlie is the biggest asset you have. You just don’t realize it yet.’

  Bear shifted uncomfortably. ‘Tell me... can he read minds?’

  ‘What makes you think that?’

  ‘It is something he was always good at, like a sixth sense. But that last time, it was as though he just knew exactly what people were thinking, including the Albany.’

  Steven thought it over carefully. ‘He can, yes. When the ship repaired him it also did something to his brain. He can hear people’s thoughts. Where do you think I get all my information from?

  ‘Don’t worry though, he doesn’t go about reading everyone’s minds all the time. He can control it really well now, he can switch it off and on at will. Normally it is off. You can’t tell anyone about this. Not even his friends.’

  ‘I can just imagine the type of people Charlie doesn’t want to find out about that ability. Have no worries, I won’t say anything. I can also now see why you would want him as an officer. I won’t be able to give him a full commission, especially as a Captain. But I could make him an acting Captain with a field commission.’

  ‘Sounds good to me Bear. So, would you like another coffee before we launch ourselves into a new adventure?’

  Bear sat back with a big sigh and grinned. ‘Sounds good to me Steven.’

  The End

 

 

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