Harry’s heart almost stopped. “Mary! Is she safely away from there?”
Ferghal nodded. “Aye, she is. No concerns there. Though there was an attempt to assassinate Theo and to kidnap Aunt Niamh! Our little terrier—Danny—frustrated that, and now they are very well guarded indeed.” He paused, frowning. “The arrest of the Senator did trigger a great deal though, since she was captured with a room full of people on the wanted lists for piracy.” He gestured around the cabin. “With the data Lagan recorded, we found leads—or the Security Services did—to any number of others involved. It’s been quite a traumatic time for everyone, with protesters on the streets demanding the Senator’s release, and now others demanding a complete change of government and treason trials.” He grinned. “Of course the LPSL are in the thick of it, but they’ve been totally discredited—at least for now. Their true believers cling to the ideal and ignore the truth. Some make the little party we interrupted in retrieving you seem quite tame in comparison.” He studied Harry for a moment. “And someone has now increased the price on your head.”
Harry groaned. “What for? Why do they consider me such a threat? It never ends.” He shook his head in frustration. “I’ve been watching some of the news channels. What of these Charonians?”
“It seems you accessed something when the Senator demanded your presence—information some will pay a vast amount to prevent you revealing. The more we learn of the Charonians, the less we like, and the more foolish their allies look. Those are the Senators and their followers who sought an advantage through alliances with the Charonians.” He opened a drawer and retrieved a data chip. “This will explain why.”
“Thank you, I shall study this with interest.” Harry frowned. “You’ve not shared it with the ship?”
Ferghal shook his head. “Study it. You’ll see why.”
“Very well.” Harry put the chip away. “How did Boris and Leonard react to the journey in the gig?”
Ferghal laughed. “Like frightened children at first, then like children who have glimpsed Saint Nicholas with a bag full of gifts.” His smile broadened. “I’ve sent them on a tour of the ship with Jenny.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I considered sending Lucanes or Sci’antha, but they were obviously half afeared Sci’anthawould eat them, and as for Lucanes, they seemed uncertain whether to greet him or attempt to pet him.”
Harry burst out laughing. “I shouldn’t think they would ever have known a pet dog, and definitely not one that thinks, speaks, and is adept at navigation.” He stopped, still grinning. “I suppose that’s their childlike nature coming through. Who knows? Where have you put them for the passage?”
Ferghal grinned. “You’re gonna love this: In the Wardroom next to Lucanes’ sleeping den.”
It was just the comic relief Harry needed, and he laughed with Ferghal as they’d done when they were boys.
Harry leaned back in his chair. The information on the Charonians was comprehensive, and he wondered how it had been obtained. They were appalling, interesting, and repulsive. In appearance like some depictions from the Middle Ages of devils, yet the most appalling part was that they apparently did not reproduce in the normal manner. He rubbed his eyes then cupped his hands with his elbows on the tabletop and rested his chin. It did not bear thinking about. The idea of planting a type of zygote in a host body, which would then be taken over and modified to the Charonian form was repugnant enough, but the suggestion was that the original being remained a prisoner, its cognitive functions still very much alive and active while the new occupant took over all active functions and control of the host. “Lagan, if you have read this data through me, you are to erase it from your memory, please.”
“I shall do so, Harry, though I have already seen it through Ferghal. Should I erase that as well?”
“Yes, that will be best.”
“May I know why?”
“Yes, that is only fair, but you had better erase this as well after I explain it. The Charonians don’t know what we have learned about them and their methods of reproducing themselves. As they have compromised much of our communications system, there is a risk they may be able to access your memory and the memories of all our ships.”
“Thank you for telling me. It explains some of the strange attempts to communicate with me. I have refused all such communication. Should I warn others?”
Harry sat bolt upright. “Yes! Do so immediately. Report it to Security too, please. If you can identify a source, let them know that as well.”
“Kali, it seems the Senator’s attempt to dispose of Commander Heron failed.” Zorvan steepled his fingers as he contemplated Kali’s avatar. The stylised figure of the multi-armed goddess had a certain attractive grace, he had to admit. “He and his companions survived.”
“I was right. He is a worthy adversary.” Kali hesitated. She realised too late that she probably shouldn’t have said that. “Where is he now? He will not survive a hunt, and I have the perfect location for it.”
“For the moment he is beyond our reach, but there may be another way. I have assigned Shiva and Durga to arrange for someone close to him to be taken. I have studied him, and believe he will offer himself in exchange.” He chuckled, a chilling sound from him. “You may have to delay your pleasure, however. Our Charonian friends have an interest in him and are willing pay an excessive sum for his delivery.”
Kali remained silent for several seconds. “A pity.” The avatar shrugged. “My team is now installed on the Emily Hobhouse. We are to rendezvous with the Fleet and Fort Belvedere and take on the survivors retrieved from the planet…uh, what was that name again? It’s not an official name, just something the locals call it—Centaur, that’s it. Maybe this will present another opportunity.”
“It may. However, it would be unwise to attempt anything until the ship is detached for Earth.”
Kali laughed. “We are ready—and certainly not suicidal.”
“We’re due to drop out in fifteen minutes, sir.” Ferghal grinned. “I’m to close the flagship and they’ll send a barge to collect you and our two passengers.” He hesitated. “Would you care to join me in the Command Centre for dropout? I’ve invited Boris and Leonard to be there. I want to see their faces when they see a starship for the first time.” He chuckled.
Harry grinned. “I too. They have almost driven your people mad with questions and their desire to see and learn everything. I think they have made good use of their time with us.” He rose and pulled on his dress jacket. “Shall we take our places in the Command Centre?” He glanced round the cabin. “Thank you for being so tolerant of me, my dear friend. I know it is not easy for you to be the official Captain with the ex-Captain looking over your shoulder.”
Ferghal smiled. “No, it is not.” He paused, his finger hovering on the door control. “But it cannot be easy for you either. She is your ship, and I am certain she will be restored to you once the Enquiry is behind us.” He glanced down then met Harry’s eyes. “I expect I’ll be hauled back to my post in the Constructors Office, but I should not complain, I suppose—office hours, usually on a half-decent planet, with plenty of fine ladies at hand…”
“Rogue!” Harry slipped an arm through his friend’s. “Come, we had best be in the Command Centre when we drop out.”
Leonard and Boris sat in awed silence as Lagan and her companions dropped out of transit in the middle of the waiting fleet.
“There, my friends. That is the flagship, the starship Foudroyant.” Ferghal’s pride showed. “A beauty, but overrun with gold lace and importance—mere Lieutenant-Commanders are hardly noticed aboard her!” Ferghal turned his attention to manoeuvring the Lagan onto the required station. “The Admiral requires our presence, Commander—and our guests.”
Harry admired the graceful lines of the great ship. Even her weapons emplacements enhanced her appearance, while the gaping landing dock on the lateral fin closest to them as they approached showed the destination of several sm
all launches and a barge all moving toward her. The scale of the starship became all the more apparent as the Lagan positioned herself off the very tip of the huge fin.
“It’s huge,” whispered Leonard.
“Yes, it is,” Harry said with a smile. “And very real despite the fairytales your captain tried to tell your people about starships and space travel.” He chuckled at their wry expressions and exchanged glances. Watching them discover the reality of the twenty-third century in civilised society had been interesting. “And the Foudroyant is equipped with luxuries we small ship crews can only dream of enjoying,” he added as he led the way to the exit. “The flagship is sending a launch to collect us, and we’d best not keep the Admiral waiting.”
Chapter 22
Change of Command
_________________________
“Commander Heron, please stand for the verdict.”
A hush fell over the court as Harry stood and gave his jacket a nervous tug to straighten its near immaculate set on his frame. He faced the Admiral, one Commodore and three Captains of the Bench with a quickened pulse, not certain what to expect. Even the reassuring confidence of an Advocate Commander, who was absolutely convinced of a positive outcome, couldn’t dispel his nervousness. It had been a gruelling and very trying four days. Apart from the endless review of the recorded messages and visual recordings, there had been the witnesses to endure.
Lieutenant MacKenzie-Banks had been the first and the most difficult to listen to. Banks had been defensive, admitting that he’d not been happy to serve under Harry at the beginning, but then rather defiantly admitting that he’d been surprised by his commanding officer’s willingness to give him a chance. The rest of his evidence was straightforward, ending with him volunteering the information that he’d made mistakes, but would willingly accept a future role under Harry’s leadership.
Other members of the crew had presented an equally positive picture, and so had Harry’s companions for the ordeal. He’d had a surprise, though, when Boris, Leonard and another man were called to testify. Harry didn’t recognise the man until he spoke, and then he learned he was the leader of the hunting party that had found them.
Ferghal was called forward to give an account of how he and his team had identified the source of the strange signal and tracked it.
“Having heard the evidence of the witnesses present on the Lagan, and having examined the ship’s recordings of the actual events, communications between the Senator, Commander Heron, Flag Captain Greenacre and the Harmony Voyager’s own captain, and having further examined the record of the events captured on the Voyager by that ship’s recorders, and the record taken from the second recorder unit carried by Commander Heron of his incarceration in the helmet before us, and subsequent marooning of himself and the surviving members of his gig crew, we find Commander Heron innocent of any suggestion of failure to do his duty or to comply with the orders he received.”
There was a general sigh from the audience, and Harry relaxed somewhat, but he was certain there was an unspoken ‘but’ in the Admiral’s statement. What it was, he had no idea. I suppose I’m about to find out, he mused.
“We find that the circumstances of this incident are disturbing, and having considered the whole very carefully, we conclude that you were incredibly lucky to have survived at all. The testimony of your companions, Warrant Officer Jack Proctor and TechRate Michael Dorfling, provides ample evidence of the difficulties and the extreme conditions you endured and overcame in the best traditions of the service. It is unfortunate that your initial rescuers proved to be somewhat less than welcoming. However, your subsequent approach and handling of a very difficult confrontation is to your credit.” The presiding Rear-Admiral paused and smiled. “We have no hesitation in declaring you exonerated of all charges of dereliction of duty or of failing to take proper action in the face of an enemy.” He nodded to the members of the Enquiry seated to his left and right. “Congratulations, young man. You showed remarkable courage and determination in circumstances many would have found impossible to deal with.”
“All rise,” boomed the stentorian voice of the Master at Arms as the Admiral rose, gathered his tablet and led the other members of his Bench from the courtroom.
Harry let out his breath, barely conscious of having been holding it nearly the entire time the Admiral spoke. He turned to thank his legal representative as well-wishers clustered round him showering him with congratulations. He managed to field these and make his way to the Commander, a diffident individual who had several times surprised both Harry and a witness by undergoing a complete change of personality in an instant from polite, almost apologetic conversation to aggressive pursuit of an answer.
“Thank you,” Harry said, shaking the man’s hand. “I think I would have struggled without your help.”
“It was a pleasure, and easy really.” The Commander smiled. “They simply could not have delivered any other verdict on the evidence.”
“I am glad to know you saw it so.” Harry smiled. “I would almost rather face the Niburu again than this.”
“I’m not so sure about that, Harry—er, Commander Heron,” Ferghal chimed in. “To be sure though, you may have a tough time ahead with your fiancée—she and your aunt are in league against us, I think.” Ferghal was grinning from ear to ear.
Harry’s face coloured. “What have they demanded?”
Ferghal laughed. “Your head on a platter, or to make you go shopping for wedding fripperies with them—choose your poison!”
Harry said in a droll tone, “I’ll be the main course, then,” and Ferghal let out a boisterous laugh as Harry visibly shuddered at the thought of enduring a shopping trip with the ladies.
Ferghal added, “In all seriousness, though, I suspect Mary and Niamh might have to wait their turn, as the Admiral sends her respects and requests the pleasure of your company as soon as convenient.”
Harry laughed. “Then I am in trouble. In her quarters or her Command Centre?”
“Her quarters.” Ferghal grinned. “I am ordered to accompany you, no doubt to be advised of my fate.” His expression changed. “I have packed my things ready to transfer command of the Lagan back to you and return to the Constructors Office.”
“Everyone seems to have expected the outcome of the court except myself.” Harry frowned. “I hope your packing is premature, my friend. You make a good commander, and I can think of no one I would rather see take charge of Lagan than you, wild Irishman though you be.”
“Commander Heron to see you, ma’am,” announced the Admiral’s android assistant.
“Show him in.” The Admiral pushed her tablet aside. “Is Lieutenant-Commander O’Connor with him?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Send them in, please.” Vice Admiral Petrocova looked up. “Take a seat both of you.” She rose from her desk and joined them. “Steward, bring my guests some refreshment.” She settled into her chair. “Now that we have the Enquiry out of the way, Harry, you can get back in the saddle.” She smiled. “We still have an enemy to deal with.”
Harry smiled. “Thank you, ma’am. It is a relief to have been exonerated.”
“I expect so.” She paused. “There is still one problem. You know there’s a contract out on you. We know who has placed it, and we know who has been hired as the mercenary—but it isn’t quite so simple.” She waited while the android steward handed Harry and Ferghal their drinks. When she had their full attention again, she said, “So I’m not leaving you in command of the Lagan.”
Harry’s heart sank. Despite the problems during the construction and working up phases, he’d loved the ship and enjoyed working with the crew. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ve a new command for you, so don’t look so disappointed.” She turned to Ferghal. “Have you enjoyed command of the Lagan? Are the ship and crew to your satisfaction?”
Ferghal looked surprised. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. You�
��ll be joining a new joint flotilla I’m putting together.” She paused. “Eight ships in all—two Lacertian corvettes, four Canid, the Lagan and one patrol ship of the new Leader Class.” She smiled at Harry. “You’ll be Flotilla Leader. The new ship is the Sabre. She’s fully worked up and ready for you. In fact, you’ll know several of her officers and Rates. One of the officers is your Flotilla Engineer officer.” She paused. “You’ll have a couple of Special Forces men in the crew. I won’t spell out why. Whenever you leave the ship, one of them will be with you.” She pushed a data chip toward him. “Your new command is waiting for you. Once you’re worked up, you’ll be transferring to Task Force One, Admiral Heron’s command. Good luck. Your gig was sent for ten minutes ago and should be in the landing bay about now.”
Harry felt a little overwhelmed, but rallied quickly. “Thank you, ma’am. Who am I replacing?”
She smiled. “My Staff Officer. He’s been minding the ship since you were found and while you went through the debriefing and Enquiry process. Werner has enjoyed himself, but he’ll get over it, and I need him here.”
Harry felt some relief at this news. He knew Commander Werner Nickel, and was aware the Commander enjoyed his post as Fleet Staff Officer as much as Harry enjoyed the mathematics of navigation. “Then I shall waste no time in relieving him, ma’am.” Harry smiled. “I had hoped to see the gentlemen I brought back with me from that planet the locals call Centaur, but I understand they have been moved with the rest of their people.”
Harry Heron: Hope Transcends Page 21