Privateer's Moon

by gerald hall

  Of course, it’s not that we don’t trust you, Mister Wisp. But I have learned a long time ago that sometimes the interests of an employer can change. I don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of that change.”

  “Such caution is indeed very understandable, Captain Martinson. This is especially true with what I am about to ask you and your people to do.” Why don’t we find someplace quiet to talk at?”

  Alec immediately began to worry. Obviously, someone wanted Alec’s people to do something that Mister Wisp’s superiors wouldn’t or couldn’t do. That usually meant something bad was about to happen.

  “What do you need, Mister Wisp?” Alec asked after the two men walked over to one of the small restaurants in the space station’s food court area and sat is a corner booth. Alec wanted to be sure that he could see if anyone was paying a little too much attention to himself and his employer’s representative.

  “Our request has to do with the Lu’non.” Wisp noted. The mere mention of that genocidal alien race made the hair on the back of Alec’s neck rise. Very few humans found dealing with the insectoid alien race to be a very pleasant experience.

  “What about them? We have had few contacts with them so far. Thankfully, we have only seen their ships at a distance.”

  “I know. I have seen your reports. We have heard some disturbing news about some new jump technology that the Lu’non may be developing. Up to this point, the Lu’non have been using jump tenders that are not terribly different technologically than what our human-manufactured jump tenders employ.

  “However, our sources within the Terran Navy have told us that the Lu’non have been experimenting with a distributed network jump drive system. Instead of separating the functions of the jump tender and their carried subordinate craft like cargo shuttles or battlers, the Lu’non appear to be developing an entirely new concept.

  The Lu’non are supposedly building ships with jump drive elements as well as the normal fusion reaction drives that our shuttles and battlers use. But when multiple Lu’non ships of this design link up, they form a ‘super-jump’ drive. We believe that this drive has the ability to transport the linked ships further in a single jump than a standard technology jump drive. Even if the individual ships are slightly slower and less capable individually, the extended range of the linked jump drive would give the Lu’non a tremendous strategic advantage.”

  “That should be a serious cause for alarm in all of human-settled space. Why aren’t the Terrans leading the search for this new technology?”

  “Mostly because their bureaucrats don’t want to be forced into changing their operational plans, much less their procurement budget. Terran bureaucrats, including the ones who wear uniforms, are about the most selfish, narrow-minded human beings that I have ever met, I’m afraid.” Mister Wisp bitterly noted.

  “So, you want my people to poke around the Lu’non border and see what we might find?” Alec warily asked.

  “That sounds about right. Of course, we don’t want to force you to take any unnecessary risks with your people and other assets. It is important for you to know that we do not consider you expendable by any means. Your continued survival and service to us is very important, I assure you.”

  “That is very good to know. If we are going to do this, my head technician Colin always has a running ‘shopping list’ of equipment that he wants me to procure in order to keep our ships running or upgrade older systems. Do you think that perhaps your employers can help me fill that shopping list before I leave so that my people will have the best chance of surviving along the Lu’non border while we search for information on this new jump drive?”

  Captain Martinson, if you will send me your ‘shopping list’, I will do what I can to see if I can find the items for you and that they will be at a reasonable price. Obviously, you planned on purchasing them rather than just having them given to you. My employers would frown upon me doing that, you see, even though this is Christmas Eve.”

  “Of course. Your assistance is greatly appreciated, Mister Wisp.” Alec responded with a nod of understanding.

  The Kepler representative then smiled, turned and walked away, disappearing into a crowd of incoming travelers.

  “I just hope that this new mission doesn’t end up getting a bunch of my people killed.” Alec said to himself before he also walked out of the restaurant to begin taking care of the tasks that he originally came here to do.

  Four days later, Alec returned back to the space station’s docking module complex to prepare for departure. He was quite surprised to learn that well over a thousand tons of components had been delivered to the Dromedary, along with a bill of lading.

  Alec’s eyebrows rose as he saw that virtually all of the contents of Colin’s shopping list had been filled. But then Alec also saw the bill and that it had to be paid first before the shuttle would be allowed to leave the station.

  “I guess that there really is no such thing as a free lunch.” Alec wryly said to himself as he paid off the bill of lading.

  Still, he noticed that the prices for all of these components were quite reasonable, even well below the going market prices. A few of the components in the shipment were even completely unavailable outside of regular military procurement channels.

  “Colin is going to be very happy with what I am bringing him on this trip.” Alec thought as he continued to read through the filled ‘shopping list’. Mister Wisp had to have seriously pulled some strings to procure some of these items, Alec realized.

  If Colin was able to deliver what he claimed that he needed these parts for, then Alec’s organization would gain another cargo shuttle, a medium battler and at least eight more fighters. There was also enough equipment to upgrade a variety of weapons and other systems on virtually every ship in the MMG, including Alacrity.

  Coming back with Alec would be another eighteen personnel to help operate his expanding force and facilities. Colin would be particularly pleased as he continued to shift his focus away from captaining his battler and more towards keeping everything running for Alec. Colin’s personal battler Orca, seldom left the station on missions now and had now become the de facto station defense vessel. Orca’s relatively low speed and the age of her weapons worried Alec. The ancient heavy battler could end up being more of a liability than an asset in an offensive operation against the Syndicate.

  Alec and his people would need every advantage that they could get in order to survive an encounter with the Lu’non though. He had already made arrangements to sell the small jump tender that had recently been captured from a pirate band. The sale would not only help pay for additional battlers, but would also free up personnel to man Phoenix and any other lighter vessels that his unit may acquire. But he needed to talk to Colin first. Orca’s commander clearly had the best perspective on what were the organization’s logistic current and future needs.

  Alec quickly found Colin down at this usual spot down by the main repair shops, looking over technical schematics and issuing instructions to the various engineers and technicians.

  “Hello, Colin. I see that you are busy as usual with grease under your fingernails.” Alec said in a friendly tone.

  “Hello, Boss. You wouldn’t have me any other way, I’m sure. Anyway, because of all that materiel that you brought back during your last trip coreward; I was able to get several more ships operational. We now have a total of four battlers operational plus the two Q-ships. We are also making some progress on filling more of our fighter bays.”

  “That’s great news, Colin.”

  “That’s not all that my team and I did though. I was also able to reactivate some more of this station’s defenses. We now have a pair of heavy rail guns working. They fire from within concealed portals on the lunar surface, but all of the critical hardware is actually below the surface. The reactivated rail guns are sited to cover some of our flank quadrants also. We were pretty weak back there away from the main entrance.”

  “How are we doing
for ammunition for these rail guns?”

  “We have some of the premium tungsten projectiles with depleted uranium tips available, but we can produce replacement ferrous rounds made by forging nickel-iron from within the station’s walls as we excavate more chambers for habitation and storage. An enemy ship won’t like getting tapped by one of those either.”

  “The sale of that small jump tender that we took from those pirates, should provide us with enough funds to get those premium rail gun projectiles and the components to get the rest of the base defenses operational, don’t you agree Colin?”

  “Probably. The base does have a lot of weapon installations scattered all over its surface. It is a shame that so many of them were either obsolete or had not withstood the ravages of so many years without any maintenance. We will also need to bring another nuclear fission power plant online in order to fully power all of their systems.”

  “I will what I can. Perhaps the next salvaged ship will provide the components that you need to also bring a third fusion power plant online as well.”

  Later that same day, Angela and Jonathan were walking over to the station dining facility when Angela suddenly stopped and began to stare at one of the men in a group of newcomers. Jonathan immediately noticed the look of concern on his girlfriend’s face.

  “What’s wrong, Angela?” He then asked.

  “I know that man. I used to serve with him aboard the Earth Fleet ship that I was assigned to. He was there with me when the ship declared for The True Way. He also stayed with the ship all the way until I left. His name is Carl Wilkins.”

  “He is a Truist?”

  “Yes, he definitely belonged to the True Way. I remember hearing him talk about how much he supported the philosophy of the True Way. He was also a division supervisor aboard my ship before and after we left Earth Fleet. I just don’t think that anyone who wasn’t fully committed to the True Way would have stayed in a leadership position either.”

  “What are you going to do, Angela?”

  “There is only one thing that I can do. I have to tell Captain Martinson about him. There is no way that Carl is here unless he plans on starting some mischief against us in some manner. I have to prevent that by any means possible.” The concern clearly showing in Angela’s voice and expression.

  “Then let’s go see the Captain now. Who knows what this man might learn or do before he is stopped?”

  Angela and Jonathan quickly walked to Alec’s office in the station command center. Alec had always been very casual about people coming in to talk with him as long as they truly had something important to talk to him about. However, his door was always open for Angela and Jonathan. He particularly liked the couple, especially after the unusual way that they made their way into his organization and the wealth of useful information that they always provided. They were also genuinely pleasant people to be around as well.

  “Hello, there. What can I do for you?” Alec looked up from his data terminal and smiled.

  “Sir, I’m afraid that we might have an Truist infiltrator onboard the station. Angela recognized him from a group of newcomers.”

  Alec’s expression instantly changed to one of extreme concern. This is one of the scenarios that he was especially fearful of.

  “What can you tell me about this infiltrator, Angela?” He quickly asked.

  Angela briefly recounted her history with Carl Wilkins aboard the Des Moines and any other details that she could remember.

  “Can you point him out from surveillance footage? I’m sure that Joan can provide us with suitable images of all of our new arrivals from the internal security system, can’t you?”

  “Of course, Alec. I can narrow it down even more if Angela can give me a brief physical description of the suspect also.” The station AI immediately responded.

  “Sure, Joan. Carl is about 170 centimeters tall and masses about 70 kilograms. He has light brown skin, dark brown hair and brown eyes also. He has a relatively slight physical build also.” Angela explained.

  “Thank you, Angela. I will examine our security feeds for people who fit this description among the most recent arrivals.” The station AI calmly replied.

  Three minutes later, Joan began to display a series of images as well as several video clips showing personnel onboard the station that fit the description that Angela gave. It only took a few seconds for Angela to pick out one specific person from the images and video footage.

  “This man arrived here using the name Thomas Johnson. He is listed as being a shipboard electronics technician with extensive experience. I could see how the Kepler folks would see him as a prime candidate for us.” Joan explained about the person that Angela had picked out.

  “That is definitely Carl Wilkins, Sir. He was indeed an electronics tech onboard Des Moines. But he was also a lot more than that with the True Way as well.” Angela said after turning towards Alec and looking him square in the eye.

  “Are you sure about this, Angela?” Alec asked.

  “I am absolutely certain, especially after seeing these photos. This is definitely the Carl Wilkins who served with me on the Earth Fleet cruiser Des Moines.” She reiterated.

  “The data that the Kepler people gave us on this particular individual indicates that he had served in Earth Fleet on board the Des Moines. But it mentions nothing about any association with The True Way. I guess that Mister Wilkins didn’t bother to mention about his time with the True Way to our Kepler friends.” Joan noted.

  Alec sighed for a second. He had been promised by Mister Wisp that all of the new personnel had been fully vetted before they came to the station. Now, he had someone who was almost certainly an enemy infiltrator and possible saboteur.

  “Obviously, I am going to have to speak to our friends from the Kepler colonies about their vetting process. Either, this man slipped through the cracks of their vetting, or the Kepler people deliberately sent him here to spy on us. We will have to figure which option eventually. But first, we have to do something about your ‘friend’ here. We can’t have him remain here, obviously.” Alec bitterly replied.

  “What are you planning on doing, Sir?” Jonathan asked, concerned that Alec might be considering a ‘terminal’ solution to the problem.

  “I am going to arrange for Mister Wilkins to come to the station medical office immediately for some immunizations. Then, we will have the station’s doctor sedate him until he can be removed from the station and sent back to someplace where he cannot cause us any harm.”

  “What if he decides to resist?”

  “Well, then I will leave that problem to our very capable security force, supplemented by Joan here. He won’t be able to run far onboard this station, I assure you. Right, Joan?”

  “Absolutely!” Joan gleefully replied. It almost seemed as though the station’s AI wanted the Truist infiltrator to try to run so that the she could play with him, much like a cat plays with a mouse before finishing it off.

  “So you have any idea when you might send him, Sir?” Angela asked.

  “I was thinking perhaps of one of the nearby Earth Fleet stations. I’m sure that they would love to ask Mister Wilkins here a few questions about the Des Moines and what it has been doing.” Alec said with a knowing smile.

  “You know, that might not be a bad idea, Sir. The folks at Earth Fleet could find out more about current Truist operations from our ‘friend’ here. They also won’t be letting a ‘bad boy’ like Carl out of their sight for quite a long time. So anything that he might have learned about us will never be of any utility to our enemies.” Jonathan replied before looking down at Angela.

  She looked relieved that the situation was being dealt with so quickly and decisively. Angela feared that she would actually encounter her former shipmate somewhere in the station. At the very least, such an encounter would be awkward for both of them. At worst, it could become violent.

  “We will have to let Mister Wisp know of the problem, of course. That way, the Kepler peopl
e can tighten up their vetting process. But we will be watching the newcomers a lot more closely for a while. That much is certain.” Alec grimly said.

  He really didn’t need another complication at this moment. He was already preparing to contact Doctor Lofton to let her know what he needed for her to do. He felt confident that she would not object because the alternative would be potentially far more harmful to Mister Carl Wilkins.

  “If this Carl Wilkins is a Truist infiltrator? Why would he be so interested in us anyway? We are just a relatively small privateer unit.” Joan asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe the folks who had been holding Jonathan here captive had been talking to others in the True Way about what he had found? It could even be about Angela here. After all, she used to be a crewmember of one of their ships before she deserted them. Hopefully, Earth Fleet will get to the bottom of all of this when they have their ‘little chat’ with Mister Wilkins.” Alec speculated, much to the discomfort of both Jonathan and Angela.

  Alec wasn’t trying to make the couple uncomfortable. The fact of the matter was that he liked and trusted them very much. Both Jonathan and Angela had proven their worth to Alec repeatedly since their arrival to Alec’s unit. But they were the privateers’ one established connection to the True Way that Alec was aware of.

  “If the True Way is looking for either of us, then we need to establish a very low profile whenever we are away from the station. But, I rather doubt that we are important enough for them to risk sending in this Carl Wilkins. The best thing that we can do is make him disappear, though I would prefer that it not necessarily be a ‘terminal’ event for him. After all, he hasn’t killed any of our people.” Jonathan said.

  “True. But what ends up happening to this infiltrator will ultimately up to the folks at Earth Fleet. I will simply insist that he not be allowed to ever walk free in this lifetime. There is just too much risk for us if he does go free.”

  “I understand completely.” Jonathan reluctantly said. Even though his fellow citizens from Libertad were quite willing to use lethal force to deal with their deadly enemies, they preferred to find a non-lethal alternative whenever possible.