“This is my chief of staff, Mister Miller. I guess you know Dean. Doctor McCauley’s trainee.”
“Yup. He’s a sharp one. So, Doctor letting you tag along?”
“If I stay quiet, Captain Hughes.”
“Hard for him to do, Boss.” Hank jerked his head towards Dean as he talked to Gregor. “Smarter than a whip. Nosey, too. Learns fast. Talky.”
“That’s high praise, coming from Doctor McCauley. From what I hear, if you don’t live up to it, you’re out on your ear.”
“Now, Captain. Don’t go putting the fear of the Gods in the boy.”
“Not Gods. Just you.”
“Are we ready for a little spin around the block?”
“The good doctor thinks so, Mr. Gregor.”
“Well, let’s see how well his new toy works.”
The entry hatch, placed mid-ship, opened directly into the small cargo bay. With only a few steps, the five people reached the fission generator.”
“This here creates the X-ray and EMP charge.” Hank pointed to the back three quarters of the man-height machine.
“This part holds the collected rays in a special capacitor. It eventually collects five hundred million electron volts of x-rays and the same for a matching electro-magnetic pulse. Once the mark is reached, the charge flows through those fiber-optic cables. Up on the top, we’ve mounted the expenditure. It can pivot a full three-sixty. The waves are released in a burst and there you have it. One X-cannon.”
“Sounds nasty. Let’s see it in action. Captain Hughes, if you would, shall we launch?”
“This way to the bridge, people.”
Being a small ship with only one deck, the group’s walk to Mariella’s bridge quickly passed the galley, two cabins, two lockers and reached the bridge.
Upon entry, Gregor saw the pilot, co-pilot pods sitting side-by-side, one containing a young man.
“That’s my son, Carlton. He likes ‘Carl’. Carl, this is Mr. Gregor and Mister Miller. You know Doc McCauley and Dean.”
“Hey, Doc. Dean.”
“Hello, Carl. Ready to show us your ship?”
“Certainly am, Mr. Gregor.”
“Are you the pilot?”
“Most of the time. When we need special flying or things get hairy, Mom takes over.”
“Well, I’m old. So no slingshot launches, if you please. These old bones couldn’t take it.”
Captain Hughes reached her pilot pod, grabbed her helmet and turned to face Gregor. “Humph. You’re not old. My dad’s space suit is older than you. So’s Mariella. And Carl knows how to treat her. You’ll be just fine, Mister Gregor.”
Everyone looked around. The first thing which drew their attention was the wrap-around transilium window with a clear view of the exit doors within the asteroid.
As they continued their inspection, Angela pointed to multiple spots, “Hand-holds along the bulkhead. Over there and there.”
The group split up, found spots and grabbed on. Hank mumbled into his throat mic. Klaxons sounded, followed by an announcement that the landing bay would soon be purged. Everyone watched through the window, waited for the workers to exit and listened for the all-clear. Once the landing bay became empty of personnel, the large doors clammed open.
“Carl, slow and steady. We don’t want to bounce our guests.”
“On it, Mom.”
True to his word, Mariella softly lifted, floated through the doors and into space.
“What’s the plan, Hank?”
“I’ve launched an obsolete satellite. It’s holding off about two thousand miles. We pull within five hundred and do a full sensor scan. We verify that it’s active and transmitting. Then we fire. Then check it again. It should be intact and dead.”
“Life forms?”
“I put a container of algae on board. With sensory hook-ups. We’ll get a reading before and after.”
“Let’s do it.”
The actual run, measurement, firing and re-measurement turned out to be anticlimactic. With no viewable radiation or fiery explosions, all everyone experienced was a short flight out, a push of a button and a short flight back.”
“Well, Boss. You saw it. The X-cannon works,” Hank commented as the four exited Angela Hughes’s ship.
“It did exactly what you said, Hank. It didn’t seem to impact the performance of Mariella at all.”
“It doesn’t. The extra mass is about the same as a family and supplies.”
“What’s the top speed for that type of ship?”
“About point five SOL. It can scoot.”
“Not as fast as Griffin. Still, pretty quick. How many of those hulls have we got?”
“A lot. It’s a pretty standard design. Lot’s of families use them for recreational vehicles. Vacations and all. They’re not too expensive, so a lot of families own them. I’d say, a couple of hundred. Maybe more. Only about fourteen, fifteen as fast as Mariella.”
“Well, get a count. And get them armed. Fast ones first. With their small size and good speed, they should be hard to hit.”
“And that’s a good thing, Boss. They’re built like paper. One tap and they blow.”
“Yeah, well. A lot of people and ships are going to die when the bugs come knocking.”
“We do what we can do, Boss. Speaking of which, Anna said she’d go. She’s packing right now.”
“Good. Send her over to Halcyon. We plan on leaving for Sanctuary in the morning. Oh, and another thing.”
“Ya, Boss?”
“Our wonderful Admiral Weiskoff. Play nice. Fix his toy. Give him his guns. Get him on his way.”
“As friendly and courteous as an usher in church, Boss. Same for you, Dean. Silent. Church mouse silent.”
“No squeaks here, Doc.”
Trotzig
“Well, Corry. You’re my boss, now.”
“That’s Lieutenant to you, Staff Sergeant,” the repairman answered with a grin.
“I’m still going to keep whupping you at our card game.”
“In your dreams. You’ve got another boss. Master Sergeant Stein.”
“Really? I thought he was hanging on the sidelines.”
“Nope. With the aliens shutting off all communications with Cencore, he figured that we were on our own. So, he’s joined our little band of week-end warriors.”
“He get unbricked?”
“I think that was one of the draws. His whole security team, too. They’re all ex-military. I let him form them into their own squad.”
“Good. That’s one squad we won’t need to worry about.”
“Shall we go meet our first recruits?”
“After you, First Lieutenant Rosser, Sir!”
The two friends, now dressed in military garb, left the command center. With Corry driving, the two exited Trotzig through the massive, reinforced gates and pulled up to the wide-open space designated as the parade grounds. Exiting the ground vehicle, the two saw row upon row of militia, all suited in combat garb and equipped with gear, ammo and weapons.
“Mayor Moreno certainly came through.”
“We’ll give the bugs a good fight.”
Corry and Randy marched to the raised platform, climbed the stairs and stopped in front of Master Sergeant Garon Stein. Stein slammed to attention, snapped a salute and waited for acknowledgement. Lieutenant Rosser saluted back and both dropped.
“Thank you, Master Sergeant.”
“Sir!”
Staff Sergeant Roth, in turn, came to attention and held his salute until his superior enlistee returned his salute.
Stein turned to the field of Tolimarian militia then, in the normal voice of a drill sergeant, bellowed, “Attention!”
The Master Sergeant had no need to shout or use a megaphone as all twenty-eight thousand, eight hundred men and women had their enhancements unbricked, their imbedded communication electronics activated. But, being a sergeant, he shouted anyway.
Stepping back, he cleared the way for First Lieutenant Corry Rosser.
“At ease, fellow defenders. For that is who we are. We are the defenders of Tolimar, the protectors of this corner of the Human race. Fellow defenders. Some of you know me. Most of you don’t. I am Corry Rosser. I own the repair shop in Erstadt. I’m a mechanic by trade.”
Corry waited for the light laughter to settle.
“When I wore the green, I was a First Lieutenant in the Federacy Marine Corps. Like all of you, I served my time keeping the peace across the Federacy. Like all of you, I retired. Moved here to start a new life, a freer life. But now that life is threatened. Humanity has been invaded by aliens. These aliens destroy our worlds. Enslave our fellow Humans. Eat our fellow Humans. We are here to say, ‘Not here!’. ‘Not Ever Here’!”
“Hoorah!” one voice from twenty-eight thousand, plus, throats reverberated across the grounds.
“We build! We train! We protect Tolimar!”
Again, the battalion rose up in support.
“Thank you for your service to The Federacy. Thank you for your coming service to Tolimar.”
First Lieutenant Rosser saluted. The entire battalion responded.
“Master Sergeant?’
“Sir!”
The exchange of salutes signified the passing of leadership back to the Sergeant. Lieutenant Rosser about-faced and exited the stage, followed by Staff Sergeant Roth.
Chapter 05
Elonia Royal Court
Different species, same games. The previously empty, huge throne room now boasted more than a hundred Elonian dignitaries, scores of servers and servants, the Royal Family and four Humans. The automated servers weaved through the crowd, taking orders, delivering orders and generally kept the group of Elonian power mongers satiated as best they could.
Krag and Keiko had succeeded in staking out a defensive corner next to one of the crystal pillars holding up the ice-covered roof. Their newly designed and built spike shoes kept them from slipping and sliding, kept them from making fools of themselves in front of all these Elonians.
Mack, drink in hand, casually walked up, Sue staying close.”
“Like the new boots, Cap? Keiko?”
“Can’t say much for the style, Mack.”
“I patterned yours after one of your short-top pairs, Mrs. Ambassador. But I couldn’t get away from the thick soles, with the retractable spikes and all.”
“You did well, Mack just kidding.”
“I know, Wee-Bird. They do make you taller, though.”
“As you say, there is that.”
“Yes, Mack, you did a fine job. They work perfectly. Although I find it hokey to click your heels to extend or retract the spikes.”
“At least I didn’t make them red, Cap.”
“How are the upgrades going?”
“Moving right along, Cap. Varrini and Muknai know what they’re doing. For two weeks work, they’ve laid out a good plan and gotten right into the fixin’.”
Just then a determined, well-dressed Elonian strode towards the group.
Catching sight of the unknown Elonian vectoring towards Krag and Keiko, Mack, commented, “Well, me and Lassie are off. There’s a click of engineers we want to hang with. God luck with your dagger fights, you two.”
“Mack is good at reading tea leaves. He boogied fast.”
“And just in time. Round one.”
Tail up, ears straight, mouth scowling, the Elonian announced, “I am Senator Sanjinan. Speaker for the opposition.”
“Ambassador Suzume. This is Captain Marston, owner and captain of the Human spaceship, Griffin.” Keiko emphasized the ‘Human’ in her introduction”
Her immediate staking a claim of sovereignty impressed Krag. With the formal salute and bow, Krag replied, “Pleased to meet you, Senator.”
“Of which clan do you represent, Senator Sanjinan?”
“Clan Chikuno. One of Elonia’s oldest and strongest.”
“May your clan have fruitful child bearers and strong seed bringers. How may we be of service?”
“Thank you for your kind prayer, Ambassador. Kokali has blessed us for many generations. Are you enjoying your visit to our humble star system and Elonia?”
“Very much, Senator. Elonia has welcomed us with nothing but acceptance, kindness and friendship.”
Krag watched as two practiced politicians verbally jousted, feeling each other out, looking for the other’s true intentions. Again, Keiko impressed him with her ability to swim in the murky waters of diplomacy.
“That is the way of our people. I have been conversing with Prince Daruke and he has described the wonders of you and your Griffin.”
Both Keiko and Krag heard the reference to Prince Daruke and the implied meaning.
“Compared to Wisdom Seeker, it is just a small, outmoded ship, lucky to travel the stars.”
“And traveling the stars is what makes your little ship so interesting, Ambassador Suzume. I have been tasked with the request that you honor me and a few of my fellow Senators with a tour.”
Keiko didn’t need to look at Krag to know the correct answer. “Unfortunately, neither I nor Captain Marston are in a position to make that decision. As we are under the patronage and protection of King Kaporine, that is a decision that only he can make. At our next council, I will be sure to bring up your request.”
Inwardly, Krag smirked. Senator Sanjinan bet a prince. Keiko raised a king. He watched as the senator folded.
“Of course, Ambassador. At the very least, at your convenience, would you be so kind to address the Senate and have an informal question and answer? We would all love to learn more about the Human civilization.”
“We would be most happy to oblige. However, the limitation still stands. King Kaporine would be the final decision maker for that.”
“I completely understand. If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to contact my office. And may Bashia continue to shine on you and your journey. Now, I must mingle. You know how politics work.”
“Yes, Senator. Shaking hands and kissing babies is part of the job description. Thank you for introducing yourself. If we ever are in need of your support, we will be sure to contact your offices."
Keiko and Krag watched Senator Sanjinan walk away with the same aggressive stride in which he arrived.
“Good job, Keiko. One down. A hundred to go.”
“I need a drink. And maybe a bath. Wash off the oil. I guess all civilizations have their fair share of slimy politicians.”
Krag reached into a hidden vest pocket of his formal blues and pulled out a thin flask, unscrewed the cap and handed it to Keiko.
“Thought you might.”
After a good swallow, Keiko commented, “Hit the spot. You heard the reference to Prince Daruke?”
“Yup. Sides are already being drawn up. Looks like the Prince is butting heads with Papa. The game is starting.”
“Yes. And we’re the ball.”
Princess Analyn approached from a different direction than the one which Senator Sanjinan left on, Sir Mahajani trailing a discrete distance behind. Keiko quickly handed back the flask and wiped the corners of her mouth.
“Princess Analyn,” Keiko addressed as she performed her now accepted Nyu-Nippon bow. Following Keiko’s lead, Krag saluted smartly.
“Ambassador Suzume. I see you have met Senator Sanjinan. What did you think of him?”
“Just like many human politicians, Your Highness.”
“Very non-committal. Well said. I would have expected nothing less. He is the leader of the opposition. By that I mean that he and his cabal of like-minded senators are resentful of the Kaporine Clan’s hold on the crown.”
“He did imply that he held favor with your brother.”
“Yes. Well. Daruke can be hot headed at times. Sanjinan feeds that. Plays both sides. He has succeeded in gaining my brother’s ear. The Senator leads the movement for a stronger military and more Senate control. And he is trying to influence Daruke into supporting him. Unfortunately, Daruke does wish for a stronger milita
ry. With him in control, of course. As for more power in the Senate? He doesn’t really care about that.”
“How many clans are members of the opposition?”
“Five in total. With six supporting my father, we have a slim margin. Sometimes one of our senators switch sides on a vote. Then we lose. For the most part, though, the Kingship has held together.”
Princess Analyn froze for a moment. Krag and Keiko, being familiar with this behavior, knew that the princess was telepathically communicating with someone. An Elonian dressed in full military gear, including a scimitar, hurried over.
“My Princess,” he bowed.
“Commodore Lynar. I wish to introduce you to Ambassador Suzume, the civilian spokes-being for Humanity and Captain Marston, owner and captain of the Human star ship Griffin.”
“Honored.” The commodore performed the Elonian salute and the two Humans performed their Human ones in return.
“Ambassador Suzume, Captain Marston, this is Commodore Lynar, the commander of Elonia’s space fleet. All accept Wisdom Seeker, of course.
“My pleasure, Commodore Lynar.” Krag held back. Keiko spoke for the both of them.
“Commodore Lynar is a good friend of Senator Sanjinan. And the senator, in return, supports the Commodore’s push to arm our space fleet.”
“It is only prudent, My Princess. As proven by the arrival of your Human friends, we do not know what is beyond our system. We should be prepared.”
“And that is a discussion between the Senate and Father. Let’s not ruin this fine reception by talking politics.”
“Of course not, My Princess. If you will excuse me, I was on my way to my bond-mate and her friends.”
“I would never stand in between two bond-mates.”
With another salute, the commodore hurried away. Either to join up with his bond-mate or to escape his princess.
“Now you have met the third side of the triangle. My brother, the senator and the commodore. If there is going to be any problem, it will come from those three.”
Again, Princess Analyn froze and unfroze. “Father calls. He requests your presence.”
“Let’s not keep Elonia’s King waiting, Your Highness.”
Upon arriving at the royal dais, the Princess, the Ambassador and the Captain bowed or saluted.
Meeting in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 3) Page 9
