by Ryk Brown
“Exactly the type of behavior that destroys civilizations,” Nathan commented.
“An interesting observation,” Mister Seeley agreed.
“Mister Yokimah tells me you seek to bring his water purification systems to Takara?” Nathan asked, changing the subject.
“Indeed. As you know, the factory that produced such equipment on Takara was destroyed during the initial occupation by the Dusahn. My lord is hoping to bring Mister Yokimah’s products to Takaran markets before House Ansonte can rebuild their factory.”
“I’m surprised the Dusahn are allowing you to travel outside the system, unsupervised,” Jessica commented. “It is my understanding that they do not allow such freedoms.”
“In the beginning, no, but they have begun to ease such restrictions as of late…in the interests of maintaining the economies of the Pentaurus cluster. I assure you, however, they are keeping close tabs on my travels. My ship is fitted with a logging device. Upon my return, the Dusahn will know everywhere I have been, and precisely how long I was there. If I go anywhere other than where I had planned, without good explanation, there will be a high price to pay.”
“Then, the nobles of Takara are cooperating with the Dusahn?” Nathan asked.
“I understand your inference, Captain,” Mister Seeley said. “But they have little choice, really. We all saw what happened to Ybara. And two houses have already been seized since the Dusahn arrived.”
“What happened to their leaders?” Jessica asked.
“No one really knows,” Mister Seeley replied. “We suspect they are still alive, however. The Dusahn seem to consider public executions a method of deterrence.”
“So we’ve noticed,” Nathan commented.
“Mister Yokimah tells me you have taken command of the Aurora once again,” Mister Seeley said, obviously steering the conversation in a direction he preferred. “Is that really true?”
“It is,” Nathan replied. “Why do you ask?”
“We were under the impression the Alliance had abandoned the Pentaurus cluster because they have their own threats with which to contend.”
“It is true the Alliance is otherwise occupied, at the moment,” Nathan admitted, “however, the Aurora is not. She is here, and under my command.”
“The Aurora is in the Rakuen system?” Mister Seeley asked, his eyes wide.
“Her exact location is, as you might expect, classified,” Jessica stated, taking note of Mister Seeley’s interest.
“Let’s just say that she is nearby, and leave it at that,” Nathan suggested.
“Of course,” Mister Seeley agreed. “I did not mean to pry, Captain.”
“Captain Scott means to drive the Dusahn out of the Pentaurus sector,” Mister Yokimah told Mister Seeley.
“Would that he could,” Mister Seeley said. “The Dusahn are fairly well established already. It will take more than the Aurora to drive them away, I’m afraid.” He looked at Nathan and Jessica.
“The Aurora has dealt with forces greater than those of the Dusahn,” Nathan stated confidently. “I am confident we will find a way to contain them, and eventually remove them from all the systems they have illegally invaded.”
“Legality is a matter of interpretation, is it not?” Mister Yokimah said. “It always depends on whose laws are to be used.”
“The taking of anything by force, and against the will of the civilization from which it is taken, is wrong by any reasonable measure,” Nathan asserted. “Might does not make right.”
“There are those who would argue that point,” Mister Seeley responded.
“Like the Dusahn, for example,” Jessica said in an almost seething tone.
“And the Jung, and our own Nobles of Takara,” Mister Seeley added. “I am not disagreeing with your ethics, Captain. I am merely pointing out that every society has its own point of view, in such matters. I am told you are a student of history, Captain. If so, then surely you must agree with me.”
“I agree that many civilizations throughout human history have believed in their right to take what they need by force, if necessary,” Nathan replied. “I do not agree that it is right, or that such beliefs should be respected.”
“Ah, but you expect your beliefs to be respected, simply because a greater number of people believe as you do,” Mister Seeley countered. “Do you not see the hypocrisy in that?”
“I see no hypocrisy in protecting the weak from those who might prey upon them,” Nathan told Mister Seeley. “Lines must be drawn somewhere, or chaos will consume us all.”
“But do not the lines become less critical the further out into space we are able to travel?” Mister Seeley asked. “Does not the very jump drive you introduced to this quadrant of space make those lines less necessary than before?”
“If anything, it makes them more necessary, Mister Seeley,” Nathan argued. “For threats that were once out of range, are no longer so.” Nathan turned to address his host. “Which brings us back to the purpose of my visit, Mister Yokimah. I was hoping you might have given some more thought to the threat the Dusahn pose to the Rogen sector, and to Rakuen.”
“The Dusahn have no interest in Rakuen,” Mister Seeley insisted.
“How would you know this?” Jessica wondered.
“Well, for one thing, they didn’t even know where Rakuen was when I filed for an interstellar travel permit.”
“Well, they certainly do now, don’t they?” Jessica said in an accusatory tone.
“I expect the Dusahn know where every human-inhabited world is located, within this quadrant of space,” Nathan added in an attempt to soften her accusation. “They could not have pulled off such a quick, overwhelmingly successful, invasion of multiple systems without excellent prior intelligence.”
“Which is precisely why I do not see the Dusahn as a threat to the Rogen system,” Mister Yokimah said.
“The only reason the Dusahn have not invaded your system is because they have yet to get around to it,” Nathan warned. “What your system has to offer them is not worth risking the loss of either Takara or Darvano. But once they have secured those systems, and have added a few more ships to their fleet, they will come. It could take months, or even years. But they will come. It is what they do.”
“How is it you know so much about the Dusahn, Captain?” Mister Seeley wondered.
“The Dusahn are just a rogue caste of the Jung, Mister Seeley. And believe me when I tell you, I know the Jung.”
“And I know the Rakuen people, and especially the Gunyoki who protect them.”
Nathan leaned back in his chair a moment. “How long has it been since your Gunyoki have seen actual combat?”
“I assure you, Captain, our Gunyoki are quite well-trained,” Mister Yokimah boasted.
“Training and facing real battle are two entirely different things,” Nathan assured him.
“The Gunyoki risk death every time they fly,” Mister Yokimah asserted. “They face live fire, as well.”
“Live low-power fire,” Nathan corrected. “I’ve read the history of your races, Mister Yokimah. No Gunyoki has ever died as a result of weapons fire during a race, only of pilot error, sometimes occurring as a result of weapons fire. There is a big difference.”
“I disagree,” Mister Yokimah replied.
“You would be displaying your ignorance,” Jessica said, interrupting them. Mister Yokimah looked irritated. “The Ghatazhak train relentlessly, from the time they enter puberty until the day they retire from service. Their training is like nothing you can imagine. Yet, every one of them will tell you that until you have been battle-tested, multiple times, you cannot know for sure how you will perform.”
“Have you seen such battle?” Mister Yokimah asked, as if challenging her.
“I have,” Jessica replied, with a cold, hard stare. “I have killed more men than I can remember, and I have nearly died on several occasions.”
“Actually, you did die once,” Nathan reminded her. “Technically.
”
“And you, Captain?” Mister Yokimah asked. “We have all heard the tales of the brave Captain Scott, and how he has faced overwhelming odds and still come out victorious. But have you taken lives, face-to-face, like Miss Nash?”
“Does it matter?” Nathan wondered.
“I believe it does,” Mister Yokimah stated. “After all, you’re the one who is suggesting that our Gunyoki would be unable to stop a Dusahn invasion of Rakuen, simply because they have never faced real combat.”
“Your Gunyoki couldn’t even stop me,” Nathan replied.
“What?” Mister Yokimah was shocked.
“What?” So was Jessica.
“Something happens to you in combat,” Nathan explained. “The first time, you’re just scared out of your mind, and if you are well-trained, that training kicks in and saves your ass. But the next time, and the time after that, and the time after that… Well, that’s when the changes take place. That’s when you develop instinct. That’s when you develop insight. That’s when you develop the ability to see all possible outcomes in the blink of an eye, and make near instantaneous decisions… Decisions that win battles. That’s why the Jung were so difficult to stop. They are battle-hardened, just like the lieutenant commander and myself. And so are the Dusahn.”
Mister Yokimah smiled in a manner that Nathan had not yet seen. “You seriously believe you could beat the Gunyoki?”
Jessica suddenly wished she could gag Nathan.
“I do,” Nathan responded confidently.
“Perhaps you’d like to back up your, rather outlandish, claims with action, my dear captain?” Mister Yokimah suggested. “Perhaps even make a wager on the outcome?”
“That’s just silly,” Jessica declared, trying to derail things before they went too far. “We’re trying to fight a rebellion here, not fly races for your entertainment.”
“Perhaps if I sweeten the pot?” Mister Yokimah suggested.
“What do you have in mind?” Nathan asked, still looking completely confident.
Oh, God, Jessica thought.
“If you lose, ownership of the Ranni shuttle plant is transferred over to me.”
“And if I don’t lose?” Nathan asked.
“My Gunyoki racers are yours,” Mister Yokimah promised, “to do with as you wish.”
“I’m pretty sure the Ranni shuttle plant is worth far more than your twelve Gunyoki racers,” Nathan argued.
“You underestimate the profitability of my racing teams,” Mister Yokimah told him. “Besides, if a Dusahn invasion is inevitable, as you say, the Ranni shuttle plant will no longer be of strategic value to you.”
“What am I going to do with twelve Gunyoki racers, without pilots to fly them?” Nathan wondered.
“I cannot bet the lives of the pilots,” Mister Yokimah told him. “However, I can loan a few of them to you, to train your people.”
“Mechanics, too,” Nathan insisted.
“Mechanics, as well, assuming you win. However, you must promise to keep them out of harm’s way.”
Jessica saw the look of determination in Nathan’s eyes, and it worried her. “Captain…”
“It’s a bet,” Nathan replied without hesitation. “We can work out the details later, I assume?”
“Of course,” Mister Yokimah agreed. “Ah, the main course has arrived,” he said as the waitstaff appeared, carrying large trays of Rakuen delicacies.
Jessica leaned closer to Nathan, speaking in low tones, so no one else could hear. “When Cam finds out, she’s gonna kill you.”
* * *
“No fucking way,” Marcus declared with a wave of his hand.
“Marcus,” Vladimir said as he followed him up the Seiiki’s cargo ramp, trying to reason with him.
“There’s no way you’re using this ship as a test bed.”
“I think it sounds cool,” Dalen said from the top of the cargo ramp.
“Nobody asked you, dumbass,” Marcus snapped as he passed Dalen on his way forward.
“You have no problem flying the Seiiki into danger, but you refuse to install experimental emitters?” Vladimir questioned, hoping to make Marcus realize the hypocrisy of his position.
“This is different,” Marcus insisted.
“How?”
Marcus stopped dead in his tracks, and turned to face Vladimir who was still following him. “We have no control over this. If those emitters fail…if even one of them fails, some part of the ship ain’t making the jump…possibly a part one of us is in!”
“That’s a good point,” Dalen agreed, in support of Marcus.
“That will not happen,” Vladimir promised.
“You don’t know that. That’s why they’re called experimental.”
“If even single emitter shows sign of malfunction, the entire system will refuse to accept the jump energy,” Vladimir assured him. “The same way safety protocols work on current emitter array.”
“He’s got a point,” Dalen told Marcus.
“That’s how they’re supposed to work,” Marcus countered. “They ain’t never been tried.”
“He’s got a point, too,” Dalen told Vladimir.
“Now you are just splitting hairs,” Vladimir exclaimed. “It does not matter. Captain Taylor has already given the order to install the test emitters.”
“She ain’t my captain,” Marcus argued. “And she ain’t in charge of this ship. This is Nathan’s ship, not hers. And when he’s away, it’s my job to look after her.”
“Oh, he’s got a really good point there,” Dalen agreed. “A couple of them, in fact.”
“Actually, Nathan appointed me as his second in command of the Seiiki,” Vladimir reminded him.
“That’s also a good point,” Dalen told Marcus.
“Shut up,” Marcus told Dalen. “That was before he took command of the Aurora again,” Marcus told Vladimir. “Besides, you’re not even on this crew anymore!”
“That’s a good point,” Dalen told Vladimir.
“Shut up,” Vladimir scolded. “Marcus, be reasonable. The Seiiki needs stealth jump capabilities. Probably more so than any other ship, at the moment.”
“He’s got another good point there,” Dalen told Marcus.
“SHUT UP!” both Marcus and Vladimir shouted in unison.
“Sorry,” Dalen apologized, his hands up.
“Besides,” Vladimir continued, “Cameron agreed not to conduct the first test jump until Nathan returns and signs off on it. All we would be doing is installing the emitters now, to save time.”
“And if he says no, which I’m sure he will, we’re going to have to swap all the emitters back,” Marcus declared. “Sounds like a dumbass plan to me.”
“Me, too,” Dalen agreed. Marcus scowled at him. “I know…shut up.”
“There’s no way I’m taking down a functioning jump drive. Not while there’s a risk we’ll get caught on deck, unable to jump away, if the Aurora comes under fire.”
“Now you’re just being silly,” Vladimir accused.
“What I’m doing is protecting our silly asses.”
Vladimir sighed in resignation. “What if we add the stealth emitters instead of replacing them, leaving the original system intact? As a secondary array?”
“You’d still have to tap the stealth emitters into the same power conduits,” Marcus insisted. “There ain’t room to run another whole network of conduits, or weight allowance neither.”
“Fine,” Vladimir agreed.
“And we can only tap them in one at a time, so the existing system is never down for more than an hour at a time.”
“That will add thirty hours to the process,” Vladimir argued. “Two at a time…simultaneously.”
Marcus scowled at Vladimir. “Agreed,” he finally conceded, although somewhat begrudgingly.
“Spaseebah!” Vladimir exclaimed with relief.
“Sweet!” Dalen exclaimed. “We’re gonna have big guns, and be stealthy!”
Marcus and Vlad
imir both scowled at Dalen.
“I know…shut up!” Dalen exclaimed, turning to get back to work.
Marcus looked back at Vladimir. “You break my ship, I break your face,” he warned, poking his finger at Vladimir’s chest.
Vladimir laughed at Marcus’s threat as he turned and walked back down the ramp, muttering something in Russian.
“What did you say?” Marcus yelled after him. He turned to look at Neli, who had been standing in the corner of the Seiiki’s cargo bay the entire time. “What did he say?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, smiling, “I don’t speak Russian.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because I’m picturing you trying to kick his ass,” she replied as she turned and headed up the ladder to the main level.
* * *
The ride back to the hotel was a quiet one, as was the walk through the lobby, the ride in the elevator, and the walk to their rooms.
“Good night,” Nathan said as he turned the doorknob to his room and pushed the door open.
“Not so fast,” Jessica remarked, following him into his room. As soon as the door closed behind them, and she knew they were in private, she laid into him. “What the hell were you thinking?”
Nathan started to open his mouth, but was unable to get out a single utterance.
“A Gunyoki race?” she continued. “When was the last time you were even in a cockpit?”
“I’ve been flying the Seiiki for…”
“I mean a real cockpit, Nathan! Like a fighter! Let me guess…flight school?”
“Well…”
“Exactly. You let that pompous ass Yokimah trick you into risking your life.”
“We need those fighters, Jess…” Nathan said as he removed his dress jacket and hung it in the closet.
“Oh, and let’s not forget about that bet. The Ranni shuttle plant? It’s not even yours to bet, Nathan!”
“Did it ever occur to you that I might actually know what I’m doing?” Nathan asked her.
“He baited you, hooked you, and reeled you in…”
