by Ryk Brown
“I was planning on offering them complete protection, as a member of the alliance,” Nathan explained. “According to SilTek, aramenium is used in much of their technologies. Having a rich source of it would be helpful not only to the Alliance, but to SilTek’s business as well.”
“The Casbon would definitely like that,” the commander agreed, nodding. “They have been using a single distributer ever since they first began mining the stuff, and they do not believe he is giving them the best price. Knowing they could have access to another market would go a long way to convincing them to lending you their Nighthawks.”
“Excellent,” Nathan replied. “One other thing,” he continued, “I was wondering if you’d be interested in leading the Corinari into battle.”
The commander’s smile broadened. “It would be my pleasure, Captain.”
* * *
General Telles stood at the makeshift training range, watching as the first batch of recruits for Orswella’s security forces learned how to use the weapons Marcus had secured. Shot after shot streaked from the firing line, striking the training targets on the other side.
“Not bad, considering none of them have ever held a weapon before today,” Master Sergeant Sosa commented, walking up to the general.
“Bad does not even begin to describe their accuracy,” the general replied.
“You want accuracy?” the master sergeant chuckled. “I’m just happy they’re all shooting in the right direction.”
General Telles cast a sidelong glance at the master sergeant. “I trust the weapons Mister Taggart provided are adequate.”
“I’ve got Smida and Whaley putting them through trials at the moment. If there are any flaws in their design, we’ll find them.”
“Good.”
“You really think they’re up to the job?”
“Not in the slightest,” the general replied.
“Then why did you agree to it?”
“Because the Prime Minister is correct. The Orswellans should police themselves, if for no other reason than to feel like they have control of their own destiny once again.”
“Do they?”
General Telles looked at the master sergeant. “That remains to be seen.”
Master Sergeant Sosa looked back at the firing line, as the recruits continued their practice. “Some of them are going to die, you know.”
“Not if we do our jobs,” the general insisted, turning to depart.
* * *
Councilmember Garon raised one eyebrow in disbelief. “Now you want all one hundred of our fighters?” she exclaimed.
“I only want to borrow them,” Nathan assured her.
“For a mission from which many, perhaps even all of them, may never return.”
“I’m won’t lie to you, there will be losses. However, I do not expect them to be many.”
“We know not yet if the Ahka will rebuild their fleet and renew their raids,” the Councilmember pointed out. “Now that they know of our aramenium, they have more motivation to attack us than ever before. I suspect we will need every fighter, if not more.”
“If you loan me all your fighters, you can keep our fifty,” Nathan offered.
“Assuming that many survive.”
“I can go one better, in fact,” Nathan continued. “I can offer you membership in the Karuzari Alliance. You will be under our protection, and have access to all of our technology.”
“Your Alliance is hundreds of light years away, Captain,” Councilmember Garon replied. “How could you possibly protect us?”
“Recent upgrades have given my ship a single-jump maximum range of one thousand light years. Soon, we will have a one-minute, two-jump range of twice that. We can be here within a few minutes, should you be attacked.”
“Forgive me, Captain, but I doubt my people will find that of much comfort. At least, with our fighters, we have a chance.”
“For now, but what happens when the Ahka return, and in greater numbers? As you said, now they know about your aramenium. Eventually, they will determine how many fighters you have, and what it will take to defeat them. You will have no choice but to continue building up your forces. You will be locked in a never-ending arms race. How would your people feel about that?”
“They would not like it, nor would I,” Councilmember Garon admitted with a sigh. “Captain, surely our fighters are insignificant against your enemy’s warships.”
“You’d be surprised,” Nathan replied. “However, we don’t intend to use them directly against the Dusahn’s warships. We plan to use them against surface targets. The AIs on the Nighthawks are very precise; more precise than any human pilot could ever be. They are even superior to any of our computer-controlled weapons guidance systems. The targets we plan to use them against are embedded in heavily-populated areas, requiring precision strikes. Your Nighthawks would reduce the risk of civilian losses significantly.”
“Only six of our ships have AIs,” the Councilmember reminded him.
“At the moment,” Nathan replied. “I plan to license all of them. This would also benefit your world.”
“You would leave the AIs on the surviving fighters active after you return them?”
“As much as I’d like to appear to be that generous, the truth is that once a SilTek license is applied to a ship, it cannot be reassigned to another. So, yes, all surviving Nighthawks returned to you would have fully functional AIs.”
“A wonderful advantage, assuming enough of them survive,” Councilmember Garon said. “I am not certain I am willing to gamble all our fighters for the chance of doubling our forces.
“More like quadrupling,” Nathan corrected. After thinking for a moment, he continued. “What if I promised to withdraw all Nighthawks from battle, if it became apparent that losses were about to exceed fifty ships? That would ensure the safety of your fifty ships.”
“That would help,” Councilmember Garon admitted. “However, there is still one problem. We don’t even have fifty trained pilots as of yet, and the few we have are not ready for such a mission.”
“We just need the ships,” Nathan told her, “we will provide the pilots.”
Councilmember Garon thought for a moment. Finally, she looked Nathan in the eyes and asked, “How will we protect ourselves without our fighters? A few minutes is a long time to wait for help when one is under attack.”
“I will assign two Orochi gunships to your system. They are heavily armed, and carry fifty-six jump missiles each. They can easily handle anything the Ahka might throw at you.”
“And if they should find allies?” Councilmember Garon asked. “Ones with vessels of greater strength?”
“The Orochi can handle them for a few minutes, until we jump back to assist,” Nathan assured her.
“Then it appears the risk is minimal.”
“Yet you don’t seem convinced,” Nathan noticed.
“My doubt lies in your invitation for us to join your alliance. We are a small world, with a modest population. Our industrial capabilities are also modest. We have little to contribute, other than aramenium.”
“It isn’t about what your world can contribute,” Nathan insisted. “Every world deserves to live in peace, without the threat of attack.”
“Then you plan to offer membership to all inhabited worlds,” Councilmember Garon said, suspicion in her voice.
“We do,” Nathan assured her.
“Even the Ahka?”
“Even the Ahka.”
“The Ahka are the attackers,” she pointed out.
“The Ahka attack other worlds to obtain what they need to survive,” Nathan replied. “While I am not defending their actions, I do understand their motivations. An alliance of worlds can do more than just provide protection for all. It can foster trade, exchange of technologies, access to resources otherwise no
t available, and even aid in times of catastrophe.”
“An interesting concept,” Councilmember Garon stated.
“Then you will recommend that the council accept our offer?” Nathan surmised.
“I will do my best, Captain,” she replied, “but I cannot promise they will agree with my position.”
“That’s all I can ask, Councilmember,” Nathan replied.
* * *
Nathan and Jessica stepped off the shuttle, onto the deck of the Aurora’s main hangar bay, and immediately headed toward the forward hatch. “XO, Captain,” Nathan called, after tapping his comm-set.
“XO,” Cameron replied.
“Break orbit and head for SilTek. Plot a jump and execute when ready.”
“Understood.”
“And send a jump comm drone ahead of us to announce our arrival. We don’t need a repeat of what happened when we jumped to Sanctuary for the first time.”
“I’ll see to it,” Cameron replied. “Are you on your way to the bridge?”
“As soon as I change,” Nathan replied. “It’s muggy as hell on Casbon.”
“Did they turn us down?” Cameron asked.
“They’re thinking about it,” Nathan replied. “They’ll be voting on our invitation tomorrow morning.”
* * *
“Captain on the bridge,” the guard barked as Nathan entered.
“We’re pulling into orbit over SilTek, Captain,” Cameron reported, rising from the command chair.
“Any problems?”
“They were expecting us,” she replied, noticing his hair. “Trying something new?”
“Bad hair day,” Nathan replied, trying to pat down the unruly portions. “Naralena, make contact with SilTek headquarters and ask for Miss Bindi. Once you reach her, patch her through to my ready room,” Nathan instructed, turning aft.
“Aye, sir.”
Nathan entered his ready room, running both hands over his hair as he walked around the end of his desk and took his seat.
“Captain, Comms. I have Miss Bindi on vid-link,” Naralena reported over the intercom.
“Understood,” Nathan replied, activating the view screen on the forward bulkhead. “Miss Bindi,” Nathan greeted, as her image appeared.
“Captain Scott,” Miss Bindi replied, nodding. “I did not expect to see you again so soon. What can I do for you?”
“I wish to place another order,” Nathan replied.
“In addition to the eight delta-series automated fabrication systems?”
“Correct.”
Miss Bindi looked puzzled. “I thought you were concerned with the price of those systems?” she asked. “No offense, Captain, but I got the impression that those purchases alone would strain your alliance’s financial resources.”
“No offense taken,” Nathan replied.
“What additional purchases were you considering?” Miss Bindi wondered.
“For starters, three of your planetary defense systems.”
Miss Bindi looked shocked “Captain, the cost of even a single planetary defense system far exceeds that of your current order.”
“We also need ninety-four licenses for the AIs used in the Sugali fighters, and one for the AI that we are currently using on this ship.”
“The one you are using illegally,” she pointed out.
“As I explained previously, we were unaware of that fact at the time, and we wish to correct the situation.”
“Is there anything else?” Miss Bindi wondered.
“I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Nathan replied.
Miss Bindi took a breath. “I can only assume that your financial situation has suddenly improved .”
“In a manner of speaking,” Nathan replied. “This is a matter that will require further negotiations. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to meet with Missus Batista again. I’d also like to bring my first officer, and my chief engineer along.”
“I see,” Miss Bindi replied. “I will speak to Missus Batista, and get back to you. You may remain in orbit until then.”
“Thank you,” Nathan replied, shutting off his view screen. He leaned back and tapped his comm-set. “Cam, a word?”
“On my way.”
After tapping his comm-set again, he said. “Vlad, can you spare a few hours?”
“No,” Vladimir replied.
“Not even to go look at some SilTek goodies?”
“When are we leaving?”
“Half an hour?”
“I’ll be ready,” Vladimir promised.
“Wear a decent uniform for once.”
“No promises.”
“Going somewhere again?” Cameron asked, overhearing the conversation as she entered.
“Down to the surface to place more orders and negotiate payment arrangements,” Nathan explained. “You’re going with us.”
“Why?”
“In case I do something stupid,” Nathan said, smiling.
“In case?” she taunted.
* * *
Nathan and Cameron followed Miss Bindi across the lobby and into the large meeting room.
“Missus Batista is finishing up another meeting,” Miss Bindi reported. “She should be in shortly. Can I get you anything while you wait?”
“No thank you,” Cameron replied.
“I’m good,” Nathan added.
“Very well. It was a pleasure to meet you, Captain Taylor.”
“You as well,” Cameron replied, nodding.
Miss Bindi turned and exited the room, leaving Nathan and Cameron alone in the room.
“Nice view,” Cameron commented, walking up to the picture window at one end. “So far, this world is quite impressive.”
“As long as you don’t mind your every move being monitored by the corporation,” Nathan replied, taking a seat at the conference table.
“I hadn’t noticed any signs of surveillance,” Cameron admitted.
“Jess spotted them on the first real day we were here,” Nathan told her. “They hide them in plain sight. In the light fixtures, door knobs, things like that.”
“And someone is always watching?”
“Not someone, something. They’re monitored by AIs, which only report suspicious activity. At least, that’s what they claim.”
“You don’t believe them?”
“Actually, I do believe them. It’s just difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that my every action, outside of the privacy of my own quarters, is being recorded and stored forever.”
“Well, if it deters crime and increases safety and efficiency, I suppose one could get used to it,” Cameron said. “It’s not much different than how the security system on the Aurora tracks the location and movement of all comm-sets.”
“Yes, but I can take my comm-set off and move around without it if I want.”
“Vladimir certainly seemed happy,” Cameron said, changing the subject.
“It was nice of them to provide him with an android escort to show him around the product pavilions. I expect he’s going to want to add a few things to our order list.”
“About that list,” Cameron began. “Have you checked our finances lately?”
“I have,” Nathan assured her.
“Then you know we can’t afford everything you’re asking for…not even half of it.”
“If we’re paying with credits, no, we can’t,” Nathan admitted.
The side door opened, and Miss Bindi returned, followed by two gentlemen in business suits, and Missus Batista.
“Captain Scott,” Missus Batista greeted, “so good to see you again. And you must be Captain Taylor,” she continued, shaking Cameron’s hand. “Your captain speaks very highly of you.”
“A pleasure,” Cameron replied.
�
�Please,” Missus Batista said, gesturing to the conference table as she moved to her place at its head. “I understand you wish to substantially increase the size of your order.”
“That is correct,” Nathan replied.
Missus Batista examined her data pad a moment. “Based on our earlier discussions, I was under the impression that your previous order was already straining your alliance’s financial reserves.”
“As I explained to Miss Bindi, I wish to propose an alternate method of payment,” Nathan explained.
“And what might that be?”
“Aramenium,” Nathan said. “I understand the much of your technology depends upon it.”
“It does,” Missus Batista admitted.
“I also understand that it is somewhat rare, and therefore tends to be expensive to acquire.”
“I wouldn’t say that it is rare,” Missus Batista corrected, “In fact, it is present on several inhabited worlds.”
“All of whom realize its worth, I’m sure.”
“True, but now that we have jump drive technology, it is only a matter of time until we locate our own source of aramenium, at which point we will have better control of the cost of its acquisition.”
“But there will still be costs,” Nathan insisted. “Mining base, operational support, transport expenses, and let’s not forget the cost of protecting it all.”
“We expect a high initial outlay once we secure our own source, but we are prepared,” Missus Batista insisted.
“Then there’s the problem of others beating you to it, forcing you to travel further out to find your own source,” Nathan added. “All of that takes time, perhaps even years, during which time your aramenium costs continue to be high.”
“That is business.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” Nathan told her. “I can provide you with all the aramenium you require, for less than you are currently paying…possibly even at a lower cost than mining it yourselves, assuming you find a source that you can claim as your own. Would that be something you would be interested in discussing?”
“It would,” Missus Batista admitted slowly. “You have a source?”
“The Karuzari Alliance is currently providing protection for a world that is quite rich in aramenium. The problem is their remoteness, and lack of infrastructure, which leaves them no choice but to use a middleman who overcharges for his services. A direct buyer, even one paying considerably less than aramenium’s current common market value, would yield them considerably more profit than their current arrangement.”