Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6)
Page 27
“I will add this to my list, Mz. Brandt. Naturally, since you thought of it, you want first crack at it.”
“Of course, Ambassador.”
“Don’t forget about the jump transports,” Roth Senior interjected.
“I was just getting to that, Mr. Roth. The HEB Alliance will establish a transportation dealership on Tolimar, here in Trotzig. Any jump transport utilized for Mortek management and control will be supplied free of charge. These transports, when not being used for Mortek security and management may be used free of charge. A negotiation will take place on supplying additional transport in compensation for the manpower supplied for the war effort.”
“The spaceports are going to lose revenue if we switch to jump transports. Many small craft will become obsolete.”
“Tolimar will need to work that out, Governor. New technology brings changes. Those who adjust, succeed.”
“That’s not very compassionate, Ambassador.”
“No. But natural and economic evolution isn’t either, Governor. What is that phrase in economics? Adjust or die.”
“Governor, you are going to need to step up and get some politicking going. Big changes are coming.”
“Thanks, Mr. Burkhardt. I don’t need this aggravation.”
“Change is good, Governor.”
Everyone listened to the friendly banter. Keiko stepped back in.
“Does that finish our discussion on the Mortek prison and educational center?”
Keiko saw head nods all around. Krag retook control.
“Igaklay, please contact First Cruiser.”
“Connected, Commander.”
“First Cruiser, are you there?”
“Yes, Commander Marston.”
Everyone heard the clicks and chitter in the background as the alien speech translated to Galactic English.
“The management of Tolimar have agreed to you and your crew being imprisoned on their planet. They have also agreed to educate you and your crew on survival and self-independence.”
“I understand, Commander Marston.”
“Mr. Roth will be in charge of the people helping you. What would you call him?”
“Does Mr. Roth have a superior?”
“Only Mrs. Roth,” Randy joked.
“The ruler of the planet.”
“Then, Commander Marston, he would be the Magistrate.”
“Magistrate. What about the people following his orders?”
“They would be Controllers.”
“I understand, First Cruiser. Mr. Roth will be your Magistrate. His offspring and his offspring’s mate will be your Controllers. They are Randy Roth and Harriet Gregor. You must honor them. Harriet Gregor is the offspring of my and Ambassador Suzume’s Ruler.”
“I understand, Commander Marston. I will endeavor to ensure that I and my crew will follow our Controllers’ commands as accurately as possible.”
“Magistrate Roth will contact you shortly to coordinate the construction of the prison farm and your arrival. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Commander Marston. That is understood.”
“Show a little more patience, First Cruiser. Signing off”
Igaklay broke the connection.
“New title, Mr. Roth. You are now Magistrate Roth,” Krag stated
“Just what I need. More responsibility. I’ll get it done.”
“Harriet, Randy, you have titles. Controllers.”
“Harriet has had that title since I met her, Commander.”
Harriet slugged Randy in the arm.”
“Any other business?” Keiko asked.
No one offered up any more points of discussion.
“Then, let’s eat. I’m starved. We’re staying the night, right, Krag?”
“Yes, Controller Suzume,” Krag laughingly said.
Chapter 24
Ballison Space
Two weeks after Griffin’s and the Mortek’s arrivals, Keiko powered Griffin’s shuttle up through Ballison’s troposphere, stratosphere and finally reached the thermosphere. Revectoring, she targeted the small transport towards the huge Mortek cruiser sitting in asynchronous orbit over Ballison’s primary space port.
Bringing the shuttle to a stop, Keiko nodded to Sue. Sue tapped an icon on her console and spoke.
“Griffin Shuttle One requesting to land. Over.”
“Shuttle One, transfer all control to Tower.”
Keiko looked at Krag. With a grimace, he nodded.
“Transferring control, now, Tower.”
Keiko tapped multiple icons and saw the light indicating that the cruiser’s control center had gained control. Everyone nervously waited while the shuttle remotely flew into the landing bay, floated over a large hold and drifted down. Once the shuttle landed, massive doors closed the hold. Atmosphere rushed in, pressure re-established.
“Sue, open the hatch.”
“Aye, aye, Commander.”
“Gopai, you have the bridge.”
Forlornly, Gopai responded,” I have the bridge.”
“Buck up, Guppy. Cap doesn’t want those Federacy yokels getting all hot and bothered over watching an Elonian walk through their new ship. Buster and Iggy are already going to make a scene.”
“I just wanted to see the Mortek cruiser, Mack.”
“Ya will. The next one that doesn’t have a stuck-up crew.”
Krag and Keiko led, followed by a fleshed Buster and Igaklay. Mack and Sue followed. As they exited, one of the Odin bridge crewmen stepped forward.
“Second Lieutenant Collins, Commander.”
The crewman came to attention and saluted.
“Permission to come aboard, Lieutenant.” Krag returned the salute.
“Permission granted, Sir. Vice-Admiral has requested your presence on the bridge, Sir.”
“Has she been named, Lieutenant?”
“Collins knew that Commander Marston was referring to the Mortek cruiser.
“Yes, Sir. FSS Vengeance, Sir.”
“Did the Vice-Admiral pick it?”
“Of course he did, Sir.”
“What did Captain Brewer recommend?”
“Scuttlebutt is ‘Justice’, Sir.”
“Mr. McCauley, Mz. Benton, Preceptor Igaklay and Legate Buster wish to begin their inspections.”
“I have been specifically ordered to bring you and your crew to the bridge, Sir.”
Krag sighed. “By all means, Lieutenant. Lead the way.”
“The lifts are this way, Commander.”
“Maybe we could walk? Stretch our legs, Lieutenant?”
“As you wish, Ambassador.” The Lieutenant didn’t even blink, as though he anticipated the request.
Lieutenant Collins took the long way. Buster and Igaklay recorded everything. Mack and Sue voiced observations, adding to the chronicle. After more than an hour, Lieutenant Collins led Griffin’s crewmates to the bridge entrance.
“Thank you for the tour, Lieutenant.”
“My pleasure, Ambassador.”
“Oy, Lieutenant, maybe you should skedaddle. When His Nibs finds out we did a little meandering, he might peal some hide.”
“I do have some tasks to perform. I will wait for you to enter the bridge.”
After Krag returned the Lieutenant’s salute, he led his people through the hatch. Coming to attention, Krag waited for recognition. Captain Brewer hustled over and exchanged salutes.
“Welcome to Vengeance, Commander.”
“’Justice’ would have been better, Captain.”
“Yes, well, you know. Where would you like to begin?”
“Mack?”
“Me and Buster. Let’s start with the jump drive and dark matter storage.”
“Where’s Lieutenant Collins?”
“Well, Captain. It took a fairly long time to get here from the landing bay.”
“I told him to. Did you see enough?”
“We saw quite a bit, Captain. Thank you.”
“Good.” Brewer tapped his
ear. “Lieutenant Collins, please report to the bridge.”
The Lieutenant appeared almost immediately.
“Please escort Mr. McCauley and Buster to the jump room. Have Lieutenant Hartman join them. You, remain for support.”
“Aye, aye, Sir. This way, gentlemen.”
“Mz. Benton?”
“Right here is fine, Captain. I want to begin testing the circuitry and the control consoles.”
“The pilot console?”
“As good a place as any to start.”
“Lieutenant Wright, please assist Mz. Benton on her testing.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Commander, Ambassador, Vice-Admiral Weiskoff is waiting for you in his ready room.”
Captain Brewer led the remaining three, Krag, Keiko and Igaklay, a short distance down the hall. Reaching a hatch, he knocked.
“Enter.”
Vengeance’s Captain pulled a heavy lever and swung open the alien hatch. Entering, he stepped aside, making room for the three Griffin crewmates.
“Finally. What took you so long, Marston?”
“It took us longer to arrive than we thought it would, Vice-Admiral.”
Keiko saw the relief on Captain Brewer’s face.”
“I know, being a civilian, you forgot the importance of punctuality. Next time, be on time.”
“I will, Vice-Admiral.”
“See that you are.”
Keiko and Krag knew that Weiskoff always started any meeting with a show of dominance. They accepted this as one of those. Igaklay just watched and learned more about the interactions of Humans.
“Where do we stand?”
“Preceptor Igaklay is here as the knowledge repository. Preceptor Igaklay?”
“Vice-Admiral.” Igaklay now knew that Weiskoff required constant reaffirmation of his position of power.
“As you are experiencing, the gravity generators are installed and functional.”
“Yes, yes. Continue.”
“The first task which the robots onboard Vengeance performed was to replace all of the components which they had removed from the drives. All drives are now fully operational.”
“We know that. What about your alien tech?”
Igaklay, now understanding Weiskoff, gave no outward recognition of the Vice-Admiral’s condescending demeanor.
“The jump drive and the dark matter storage have been permanently mounted. The collection coating has been applied to Vengeance. The required cabling and control equipment have been installed. Also, the pilot and co-pilot consoles have been upgraded to handle the new additions.”
“Those gravity guns?”
“I was going to comment on those next, Vice-Admiral. We have retained the Mortek particle and laser beam weapons. They are much more powerful than what was installed on Odin.”
Weiskoff gave the diminutive Ballisonian avatar an angry scowl. Krag and Keiko flashed looks of shock at Igaklay’s dig.
“We have added six gravity rocket launchers. Four encircle the center of Vengeance. They have full three hundred and sixty rotation capabilities as well as full horizontal to vertical range. One is mounted on the stern while the sixth launcher is mounted on the nose. All are wired into the weapons console on the bridge.”
“This defense shield, the one that the Stingers use?”
“It will require another day to finish the mounting of the projectors on the hull, Vice-Admiral. I am having my robots connect the current projectors to the master control unit as we speak. The control unit is already connected to the sensors console. As the projectors are mounted, they are immediately tied into the network.”
“So, you’re saying that we will be ready for a test flight in two days?”
“I would recommend five, Vice-Admiral. Mr. McCauley, Mz. Benton and Mr. Morris need to finish their on-site testing.”
“That’s three weeks. For one ship. Where do we stand on the other cruisers?”
“Two more cruisers are a week behind Vengeance’s progress. They will be completed within two weeks. Their crews have already arrived and, as you know, are on board.”
“The rest?”
“Two more are scheduled to be completed two weeks after that.”
“That’s five. The sixth?”
“Six weeks from now. Along with the first destroyer. The other eleven destroyers will follow”
“You are talking at least three months before we are ready to attack. That is not acceptable!”
“I understand your frustration, Vice-Admiral.”
“No, you do not, Igaklay. We are talking about more of Humanity dying. You need to work faster.”
Igaklay had spent almost one hundred percent of his emotionally awakened time around diplomatic negotiators, both Human and Elonian, and a single human military leader. During that time, he had developed banks of data crystals defining proper decorum and reaction, different ways to respond to different emotional and political states. He utilized that acquired knowledge now. The moon-sized A.I. presented his avatar in an air of patient acceptance.
“Ballison never required preparing for war, Vice-Admiral. I have been reactivating resources meant for peace and prosperity then converting them to defense manufacturing. My resources are running at their maximum capabilities. This timeline is the best that I can do.”
“Well, it isn’t good enough.”
Krag tightened up and took a half step forward. Keiko quickly grabbed his arm and shook her head. Krag fought to relax and took back his half-step.
“You have heard what has been done and what I am capable of doing within the next ten weeks, Vice-Admiral. Five days from now you may begin flight-testing Vengeance and evaluate my performance.”
“You had better come through, Igaklay.”
Captain Brewer turned his head, as though listening. Turning back, he announced, “Commander Marston and Ambassador Suzume are required at the Elonian Royal Suites on Ballison, Vice-Admiral.”
Weiskoff gave the room a final glare.
“Very well. Dismissed.”
Everyone hustled out.
As they approached the lifts, Keiko asked, “What is the problem at the Palace, Captain?”
“Nothing, Ambassador. I felt that we had reached a good stopping point for the meeting.”
“You were right, Captain. The Commander was ready to step in.”
“I saw that. It would not have turned out well. The Vice-Admiral does not like being pushed.”
“Well, he’s going to have to learn to like it. I’m going to put up with just so much of his mouth.”
“Now, Krag. We have a war to win.”
“I don’t like that man, commander. He has no empathy. Is that right? Empathy?”
“That is correct, Preceptor. Vice-Admiral Weiskoff has no empathy. But, at times, that is a good thing. He drives everyone to their limits. He pushes until he gets what he wants.”
“That does not sound good, Ambassador.”
“No, it doesn’t. but, sometimes, it is needed. And this is one of those times. I think Krag is right. We need the Vice-Admiral to organize this fleet and make it ready to fight the Mortek, push them back to where they came from.”
“Well, I still do not like him.”
“Mack, how is the testing going?” Krag asked into his wrist quant-com
“Right as rain, Cap. Iggy does good work.”
“How much longer?”
“The rest of the day and tomorrow? Maybe a third day. There’re a lot of systems that need testing.”
“Sue?”
“I’m moving along, Captain.”
“Mack says he’ll need a day or two to finish his inspection and testing how about you?”
“That sounds about right. I’ll finish up the bridge then begin working through the systems with Mack and Buster.”
“I’ll get you some quarters,” Captain Brewer offered.
“Keep us far, far away from our Vice-Admiral, if you could.”
“I’ll see w
hat I can do, Mr. McCauley.”
“That’s all I’m asking, Captain.”
“We’re heading over to Jewel now, see where she stands.”
“Well, we’ve been through her already. Iggy has the repair list.”
“And a full crew. We’ll let them do the testing.”
“Ya, good, Cap. One less job for me and Sweet Sue.”
“Out.”
Captain Brewer again tapped his ear.
“Lieutenant Collins, meet me at the lifts. Please escort the Commander to his shuttle.”
“On my way, Sir.”
“If I leave you here, you won’t do something stupid, Commander?”
“Like going back and yelling at Weiskoff? Me? Never.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave. Sir!”
Again, Krag and Vengeance’s Captain traded salutes.
Their wait was short. Lieutenant Collins trotted up and led them back to their shuttle. Once aboard and given clearance, Keiko smoothly lifted Griffin’s transport, headed into space and over to Jewel of the Stars. Approaching, Keiko saw the landing bay doors slide open. Floating in, she again landed the shuttle with barely a bump.
“You like piloting, huh, Keiko.”
“It’s my new thing, Krag.”
“We all need new things.”
“Igaklay, please contact Gopai.”
“Yes, Commander?”
“Everything okay on Griffin?”
“Everything is peaceful, Commander.”
“We’re going to take a quick peek at Jewel of the Stars. We will return shortly.”
“Understood, Commander.”
The three Griffin crewmates exited their ship.
A spacewoman in casual clothing trotted up.
“Commander, Ambassador. Spacer Watson, Sir.”
“This is Ambassador Suzume and Preceptor Igaklay of Ballison.”
The young woman’s eyes widened at meeting the diminutive alien of which she had heard so much about.
“Permission to come aboard.”
Snapping her focus back to the Commander, the Spacer responded, “Permission granted, Sir.”
“Is Captain Overman around?”
“He is waiting in his ready room, Sir. If you will follow me?”
The three Griffin crewmates walked across the massive landing bay, towards the lifts.”
“This looks a lot cleaner than when we first got here, Mz. Watson.”