by Sarah Noffke
Gaping at the trashcan where the goggles now sat, Knox shook his head. “You’re starting over?”
Hatch shook his head, pulling his helmet down in front of his face. “Hell no. We’re starting over. Now put on your welding mask.”
“Uhhh…all right,” Knox said, and some of the heaviness was gone from his voice.
Hatch had started the welding torch, when he heard someone calling his name from behind.
“Doctor A’Din Hatcherik!” a voice yelled.
Hatch switched off the torch and spun around. “What? What? What do you want?!” he fired. He pulled up the mask and immediately sank back an inch.
Liesel Magner stared at him apologetically, holding a pad in her hands. She was wearing her usual getup, yoga pants, a loose, off-the-shoulder sweater, and, curiously, the new/old chief engineer also wore charger cables in her short blonde hair. Each day, she seemed to have some electronic or mechanical part incorporated into her outfit.
He found this highly annoying. They were parts, not fashion accessories.
“Sorry to interrupt you, but I wanted to have you review a new set of plans that I’ve drafted,” Liesel said, offering the pad to Hatch.
The ferret, Sebastian, climbed down from Liesel’s back and disappeared into the spare parts storage. That’s where both the ferret and Knox spent most of their time lately.
Hatch puffed out his cheeks, looking disinterested. “What’s this for? The gate drives?”
Liesel shook her head. “I’ve already got the gate drives up and ready to go. Your instructions were helpful, and Ricky Bobby was a tremendous help.”
“Thank you, Liesel,” Ricky Bobby chimed in from overhead. “I’m glad that I could contribute.”
Hatch felt a tension in between his eyebrows. “Well, they can’t be up to Federation specs. I’ll fix that once I’m done here.”
Liesel smiled, showing a row of perfectly straight, white teeth. “No need. When I say they are ready to go, I mean they are up to Federation standards. We’re ready to gate whenever needed.”
“Oh, well, I’m sure you think so,” Hatch said, sounding not at all convinced. “Even still, I’ll check the drives before our next gate attempt.”
“I assure you that’s not necessary,” Ricky Bobby irritatingly broke in. “I’ve tested the drives, and everything is in order.”
Hatch pinned two of his tentacles to his side and grimaced. “I haven’t experienced a gate, so it’s impossible that you’ve tested them.”
“It’s a computer simulation I’ve constructed,” Ricky Bobby stated. “I can upload all physical changes into the model of the ship and then test different situations.”
Liesel’s perky smile widened. “Isn’t that brilliant? That’s how we could determine the best possible way to upgrade the existing gate drives. It took much less time than it should have.”
Hatch grumbled to himself, turning back to his workstation. He’d picked Liesel himself, and yet this all irritated him. He’d wanted the best, but she was too good. And more irritating than that, she was…cute. Hatch respected Julie because she was competent and strong; Liesel was that, but she was also…something else that threatened him somehow.
“Doctor A’Din Hatcherik?” Liesel asked at his back.
Pretending to already be engrossed in his work, Hatch looked up like he didn’t expect to find her there. “Huh? What?”
“The plans I drafted for an upgrade,” Liesel asked, handing him a pad. “I was hoping that you’d review them and give me your thoughts.”
Hatch reluctantly took the pad from her. What he found was not what he expected. “You can’t be serious?”
Liesel giggled. “I know it seems a bit…”
“Aggressive,” Hatch filled in the word that she was struggling to find.
“Yes,” she agreed with a nod. “I had the privilege to sit down with Jack Renfro and review the types of missions that Ghost Squadron has undertaken in the past. That’s where I got the idea for this project. It’s extreme, but I’d trust this kind of technology with the captain and commander. I believe they wouldn’t abuse it.”
“You refused to install nukes in this ship under Felix Castile’s command,” Hatch argued.
“Yes, because Felix was a man who would abuse such technology,” Liesel countered. “Jack expressed his concern that Ricky Bobby is ahead in speed and stealth, but lacks proper defense.”
“That’s why we need rail guns and mains,” Hatch said, shaking his head at the chief engineer.
“I don’t disagree, but apparently, we’re a little way off from securing that kind of ammunition,” Liesel said.
“And you think you have the capability to do something like this?” Hatch pointed with his tentacle at the pad.
Liesel reached down when Sebastian returned from the supplies area, a mischievous look on the ferret’s face. “It’s fairly straightforward. I mean, think of it this way, you may not be able to make a volcano, but all you need is vinegar and baking soda to create an explosion.”
Hatch threw up four of his tentacles, aghast. “Can you believe this?” he asked Knox. “She thinks she can make a weapon with baking soda and vinegar.”
Knox had taken the pad from Hatch and reviewed the plans. He looked up, a quizzical expression on his face. “Actually, the logic is sound, here. She’s not using lava to make a volcano—or a weapon, in this case. She’s using something much less sinister, but it will have similar results. It’s actually pretty smart, and would be incredibly helpful in a pinch.”
“‘In a pinch’?” Hatch asked in disbelief. “Like if we wanted to level a city block? When did that become our call?”
“We’re the good guys,” Liesel said, smiling as she took the pad back from Knox. “What about when the Brotherhood were trying to take over that small continent on Nexus? Wouldn’t it have been helpful then to immobilize their forces?”
Hatch shook his head. “We don’t kill the innocent.”
“Right,” Liesel agreed, folding her arms across her chest, thinking. “Well, how about when that ammunition supply needed to be destroyed on that moon?”
“We jumped next to it and achieved fine results,” Hatch reminded her.
“From reviewing the notes, it appeared that Ghost Squadron took out the whole moon, when just a small section comprised the ammunition area,” Liesel countered, which made Hatch’s head suddenly hot.
“All I’m saying is this would be a precise, honed attack that Ricky Bobby could employ in a pinch,” Liesel concluded. “Just because we have bombs or bullets doesn’t mean we have to use them.”
“Yeah, I guess I can see the relevance,” Hatch said reluctantly. “Fine. I give my permission for the project.”
“I don’t believe that Liesel was looking for permission,” Ricky Bobby stated overhead. “As chief engineer, a position that you approved her for, she is neither higher or lower than you in rank.”
Liesel’s face flushed pink. “Thanks, Ricky,” she said, looking embarrassed. “Honestly, having your blessing would be great. I wanted you to see the plans to endorse their effectiveness.”
Hatch turned away from the engineer, hiding his own flushed face. “Yeah, fine. It all looks okay. But if it’s a complete screw-up, then I’m not a part of it.”
“Fair enough,” Liesel said. “Thank you, Doctor A’Din Hatcherik.”
Hatch waited until Liesel’s retreating footsteps faded away and then he turned for the back of his lab. His head wasn’t in the current project anymore.
“Let’s take a break,” he said to Knox. “Shall we work on the '69 Corvette Stingray, or the 67 GTO?”
“Uhhh… whatever you want, Doc,” Knox said, treading carefully. He could sense Hatch’s new sour mood.
“Okay, Stingray it is, then,” Hatch stated, waddling over to the supplies area. His mouth fell open, and he had to stop himself from screaming.
“Gunner, what did you do here?”
The area was completely and revoltingly o
rganized. All the bolts, screws, and other parts were each in their respective bins.
Knox joined him, and his own mouth fell open. “Doc, I promise. I didn’t do this. It must have been…”
Hatch narrowed his eyes. “That damn ferret.”
Chapter Four
Bridge, Ricky Bobby, Tangki System
Finally! How long have I been tracking the Otterbots?
He’d lost track.
Jack Renfro tore around the corner, nearly running into the new Chief Engineer on his way to the Bridge.
“Sorry,” he said as Liesel stumbled back, her pad falling from her hand. It clattered to the floor, falling face down.
Jack stooped to pick up the fallen pad, knocking heads with Liesel as he did.
She backed up, rubbing her head. “Ouch.”
“Double sorry,” Jack said, grimacing. One of the jumper cables Liesel wore in her hair had knocked him in the temple.
“It’s okay,” she said, readjusting the small, red cable she’d used to pull her hair back on one side. “I think I got you worse than you got me.”
Jack massaged his temple, opening his jaw to clear away some of the tension. “Well, you are wearing metal in your hair,” he joked. The young engineer was dressed in stretchy black pants and a cream-colored sweater. She had a pirate’s smile, and a look in her eyes like she’d remembered a joke.
Liesel’s eyes drifted up in the direction of her hairline. “A bit unorthodox, I know. My friends say I’m eccentric for the sake of being different.”
Jack laughed. “That sounds like something only a friend could tell you.” He looked down at his crisp, button-up shirt and slacks. Jack had never known what it meant to be eccentric; he preferred his own appearance to be a bit more polished.
“Good news,” Liesel said, pinning a bit of blonde hair behind one ear.
Jack’s thoughts darted to the Otterbots, and he wondered how he’d forgotten about them. Time was critical. “What’s that?” he asked, his pulse quickening.
“Hatch signed off on the plans,” Liesel said, turning the pad over and checking the screen, thankfully still intact.
“Hatch. Yes, that’s right,” Jack said as another idea related to the Otterbot mission sprang to his mind.
“You look like you’ve got something demanding your attention,” Liesel observed.
Jack blanched at the astute comment. “Actually, I do. Thanks for the update. I’ve got to get to the bridge.”
He took off at a sprint, careful not to run into any more crew members as he passed.
“Think about it,” Eddie encouraged. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“I’ve already thought about it, and the answer is no,” Julianna said, turning her attention to the fast-approaching footsteps at her back.
Jack rounded the corner a moment later. The welt on the side of his head was the first thing the others saw.
“What happened to you?” Eddie asked Jack, when he stopped, breathless and nearly doubling over in front of them.
“What?” Jack asked, looking down at his clothes.
“Are you bleeding?” Julianna asked, staring at the wound on the side of his head.
He wiped his hands across the cut and eyed his wet fingers. “Oh, it’s nothing. I bumped into an eccentric.” Jack smeared the blood on a pristinely white handkerchief he’d pulled from his pocket.
“Oh, so Liesel, then?” Eddie guessed.
It wasn’t a risky guess, since there was no one quite like the chief engineer on the ship. She could be found in the morning meditating on the observation deck, and had asked Ricky Bobby to announce that she’d be holding “yoga retreats” in the evening.
Julianna felt bad because she was pretty sure these extracurricular activities weren’t going to have any attendance.
Maybe you should join her, then, Pip offered in Julianna’s head.
Yoga isn’t really my thing.
You should keep an open mind, Pip said with a laugh.
Ha-ha.
“I have urgent news,” Jack said, stuffing the bloody handkerchief into his pocket.
Julianna shot a tentative expression at Eddie, who returned it, his gaze instantly worried.
“Is it the Saverus? Has she gotten away?” Eddie asked in a rush.
Jack shook his head. They’d discussed the security complications with imprisoning the alien on the ship. “No. It’s something much more pressing,” Jack began. “For years, the Federation has been trying to track down a group that was known to occupy a territory on the Frontier. We haven’t been able to find their headquarters, but I believe we’ve intercepted a signal from one of their ships headed to their base, which is in Federation territory. Ricky Bobby believes the transmission was supposed to be scrambled, but he’s gotten better at picking up and deciphering these.”
“That’s great!” Eddie said, a look of zealous excitement immediately springing into his eyes.
“I’m guessing Ricky Bobby has a tracker on the ship, then?” Julianna asked.
Jack nodded. “Yes, but you’re going to have to go after them quickly. They are headed toward Ronin airspace.”
“Ronin? Wow. They have been hiding under our noses. We can be on their tail in no time,” Julianna stated.
She looked around, assessing who was in the general vicinity. Lars and Fletcher bolted to attention at once, striding over. Having an alert team that was ready to spring into action with a single glance was something she appreciated immensely.
“The quicker, the better,” Jack replied. “However, this is a dangerous group; if they sense they’re being followed, we’ll miss our chance to find their home base. For that reason, I just want you two to take one Q-Ship. Having the element of surprise would be best, and mobilizing the ground forces quickly is too much of a risk.”
“Why don’t we organize our forces and attack when we learn where the headquarters are?” Eddie asked.
Jack shook his head. “That probably won’t work. Following in behind them is key. We’ve been trying to find the Otters’ headquarters for quite some time. I’m guessing to get in there, we need special clearance, which I’m hoping you can get by sneaking in behind this rogue ship.”
Eddie pursed his lips and nodded. “That makes sense. Tip-toe in behind these guys before they have a chance to shut the door, so to speak.”
“Exactly,” Jack said, motioning to Julianna and Eddie. “I want you two to go in there and execute a swift strike.”
“What about Fletcher?” Eddie asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to have some backup?”
“No,” Jack said at once, looking at the lieutenant. “As talented as you are, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be in close proximity to the Otters. They are too dangerous.”
“Is this when you tell us who these Otters are?” Eddie asked.
Jack glanced at his watch, taking a steadying breath. “They are a group of assassins who have been eluding us for too long. This is our chance to take them out. They only take jobs outside of the Federation, but left unchecked, they could become a huge problem.”
“Yeah the last thing we need is assassins wandering into federation space,” Julianna said adamantly.
“I agree. I’m happy to be on the team that exterminates these killers,” Fletcher said, standing taller next to Eddie.
The stubborn look on Jack’s face deepened. “These aren’t your run of the mill assassins. They are incredibly powerful, with a strength that will even challenge the captain and commander.”
“What?” Eddie asked. “You said they’ve operated outside of the Federation all this time. How did they get enhancements?”
Jack laughed humorlessly. “They are enhanced, but not in the same way as you and Julianna. The Otters, or ‘Otterbots’, as they are also known, are cyborgs.”
“Oh, fuck,” Eddie said, whistling through his teeth. “I haven’t seen a cyborg in…well, I can’t even remember how long it’s been.”
“And these cyborgs operate as a group
of assassins for hire?” Julianna asked.
“Yes, and although we know they’ve been employed mostly on the Frontier, this ship we’re tracking is headed to Ronin, which could be where their headquarters are located,” Jack explained.
So they don’t live in Otter space? Pip asked, his tone completely serious.
His perfect delivery caused an abrupt laugh to escape Julianna’s mouth. All three men looked at her, curious expressions on their faces. She waved them off.
“Sorry. Pip is making bad jokes in my head, as usual.”
Eddie gave her a look of jealousy. “Sounds like it was a pretty good joke, actually.”
Julianna shook her head. “Okay, we’d better head out. Ricky Bobby, you still have a lock on the Otters’ ship?”
“Yes, and I’ve run simulations based on the ship’s continued trajectory, and have a rough idea of where they are headed to on Ronin,” Ricky Bobby informed.
“Damn, that’s one smart AI,” Eddie said.
Tell the captain that I take unintended offense to that, Pip sang.
You can tell him yourself when we’re in the Q-Ship, Julianna said.
Yes, I can tell him all sorts of things.
Don’t you even think about it, Julianna warned.
I’m thinking about it…
“Lars. Fletcher,” Jack called when the two were about to turn. “I have a mission for you, as well.”
“Yes, sir,” Fletcher said, rolling his shoulders back and giving Jack his full attention.
“I need you, Lars, to fly a Q-Ship to Ronin, separately from the commander and the captain.” Jack looked at Fletcher. “And I need you to accompany Knox on that ship.”
“Oh, Ronin…” Fletcher said, realization dawning on him.
“Knox’s home planet,” Jack nodded. “I’m thinking that, since we’re so close we might as well take this opportunity. Maybe visiting Knox’s childhood home might jog his memory with the Tangle Thief.”
“But you’re worried that it could be a trap?” Fletcher asked.
With a reluctant nod, Jack said, “That’s why I want you there. We shouldn’t draw much attention to your presence so I want it to be an in and out job. However, I know that the Saverus are on the hunt for information on the Tangle Thief, and they might also have thought to retrace Knox’s footsteps.”