Kaine's Retribution

by D. M. Pruden

  She swallowed and looked away. “I don’t know.”

  He reached for her hand. “I don’t need to be an empath to realize my comments upset you. I’m sorry.”

  She squeezed his fingers then reclaimed her hand. “I’ll be fine. It is not the first time it has come up.”

  Realizing he was making a mess of the situation, he said, “Do you know why we were attacked?”

  “No, but I suspect it’s connected with how Pavlovich recruited the new crew.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know the details; it all took place before he found me. Just a sense I get from unguarded emotions and the odd comment from him.”

  “There is a staff meeting in thirty minutes. I’ll add that question to my list.”

  Her hand gripped his wrist, and her worried face looked up at him. “Hayden, don’t press him on too many things. He’s hiding something, but I also sense something else—something dangerous. He is not the same man you knew ten years ago. Be careful.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  She attempted a disarming smile and stood on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. “I must go. Will you come by to visit later? Just to talk.”

  He smiled. “Yes, of course.”

  As he watched her walk away, he realized that Pavlovich was not the only one keeping things from him.

  Hayden entered the briefing room to find the captain, Gunney, and Stella present. Taking his seat, he almost asked if Cora was coming but managed to catch himself.

  “Now that everyone is here, let’s get to business,” said Pavlovich. “Let’s start with an engineering update.”

  “Most of our hurt from the attack is fixed,” said Cora.

  “The hull damage is repaired already?” said Hayden.

  “The Glenatat armour is composed of a material enhanced with an advanced type of nanotechnology. It is essentially self-healing and can be modified for different threats, given enough time and data to do so.”

  “Thank you, Engineer. I’m sure Kaine will eventually make himself familiar with all of the ship’s adaptations soon.”

  “I’m making it a priority, sir,” he said.

  Pavlovich grumbled something inaudible before he said, “Go on with the report.”

  “All four fusion drives are back online and operating at full capacity,” she said.

  “Good. Gunney will be grateful for weapons with some kick.”

  The cyborg’s face remained impassive. “There is still the problem of the rail guns having no ammunition. I don’t like being solely dependent on the lasers after our encounters with the Malliac.”

  “I don’t sense their presence,” said Stella.

  “We are pretty far from Mu Arae, and they are restricted to travelling at sublight speeds,” said Hayden. “Even if they’d made a beeline for here, they won’t arrive for several years.”

  “That assumes some didn’t already spread into this part of the galaxy before we encountered them,” said Pavlovich. He looked directly at Stella.

  “As I said before, I do not detect them.”

  “I’m prepared to accept that for the moment,” said Gunney. “But I still want some tungsten for manufacturing the projectiles. Or some ready-made ones would be nice.”

  “The survey database indicates there are deposits in this system.”

  “There is also an arms cache on Cetus,” pressed the cyborg.

  “Yes, but if it is still stocked, I doubt they’ll simply let us in to help ourselves.”

  “I’m just offering up options, Cap’n.”

  “We’ll get you some projectiles, Gunney.”

  “Speaking of the armoury,” said Hayden, “what do we know about the UEF detachments that might be stranded here?”

  “That is another story,” said the captain with a sigh. “Predisaster reports I was privy to suggest that the Thirtieth Fleet was due here for manoeuvres. I don’t know if they arrived before the network went down, so we should anticipate they are here.”

  “Who was in command?”

  “Admiral Kwong.”

  “Was he one of...?”

  “One of the conspirators?” said Pavlovich. “Yes, which means our arrival here won’t be greeted warmly.”

  “So why, exactly, are we here, as opposed to any other system?” asked Hayden.

  “Erganium. There is a large surface deposit on one of the moons of Elgar, the innermost gas giant.”

  “I’m sorry, but how do you know that? Until a few days ago, I never knew the stuff existed, so it is hard for me to believe it would be listed in the database.”

  “It is associated with a specific ratio of other common minerals,” said Cora. “There is a high probability we will find some at Elgar.”

  “But not a certainty?”

  “No,” said Pavlovich, “and if we can’t locate any, we’ll be screwed. We used up the last of our fuel to come here.”

  Silence hung over the room as that statement was digested.

  “Well,” said Hayden, breaking the gloom, “I suppose we should plan our moves carefully if we want to avoid encountering the fleet.”

  “Cora,” said the captain, “what is the status of your upgrade to our sensor bugs?”

  “The drone software is rewritten, but the hardware isn’t updated. Once that is done, their spectral bandwidth will be extended, and we can deploy them out to a hundred thousand kilometres from the ship.”

  “That can be useful,” said Hayden.

  “Agreed,” said Pavlovich. “Make that a priority. How long do you need, Cora?”

  “I can use an extra set of hands. If the XO wouldn’t mind helping? He did a wonderful job extracting that injector.”

  “See to it, Kaine. Once the bugs are up, we will head to Elgar and with some luck avoid encountering any UEF ships.”

  “What happens if we meet one?” asked Stella.

  “Best scenario? We’ll be welcomed as part of the family.”

  “And the worst case?”

  “Gunney had better be prepared to make do with the energy weapons.” He surveyed the faces across from him. “If there are no further questions, everyone knows what to do.”

  As the others dispersed, Hayden hung back. “Captain, can we talk?”

  Pavlovich nodded. “Cora, would you give us the room, please?”

  “Aye, Cap’n.”

  “All right, Kaine, what’s on your mind? I could smell the wood burning during the meeting.”

  “Pardon?”

  “An old expression, meaning, I could tell you were thinking of something.”

  “Oh, yes. Why did those raiders attack us? And why were they in UEF ships?”

  Pavlovich grinned. “Still dwelling on the past, Kaine?”

  Hayden’s face remained stony, and Pavlovich’s smile faded.

  “To answer your first question, we may have made a few enemies before we picked you up.”

  “How?”

  “After making our way to the edge of the Mu Arae system, we still needed some materials for repairs. We happened upon a raider transport finishing their journey from Hip 40307. We engaged them.”

  “You pirated the pirates?”

  “Yeah. We took on anyone who wanted to serve with us and set the remainder of the crew adrift in lifeboats.”

  “You just make friends wherever you go. Why were the ones who attacked us in military ships?”

  “Hip 40307 fell to the them seven years ago. Most, if not all of the fleet stationed there saw no benefit battling to save a shitty old base and joined with them.”

  “And because they are now using UEF vessels, you had a ready-made supply of replacement parts by taking one of their ships.”

  “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Pavlovich.

  Hayden frowned and examined the table, trying to gather his thoughts.

  “What’s on your mind, son?” asked the captain.

  “What if every system in the Confederation is like that? What do we reall
y gain by what we’re doing?”

  “Listen, Kaine, I’m pretty sure there are other systems where the same thing is happening. I’m also confident there are a number that maintain the status quo. Every situation will be different, depending upon the stability of the local governments at the time and who the detachment commanders were.”

  “That’s my point. The federation may be so broken up that reintroducing FTL capability could be a bigger disaster than the collapse of the network. At best it will probably mean a century of restructuring. At worst, all-out war between colony worlds.”

  “So you’re suggesting it’s better if we just find a quiet little corner here and live out our lives? How did that work out for you back where I found you?”

  “I didn’t ask you to come find me.”

  “If you regret your decision, your ship is still in the hangar. Feel free to use it.”

  Pavlovich stormed out of the briefing room, leaving Hayden with a lot to think about.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Reconsideration

  HAYDEN PUSHED THE repaired module back into position and wiped his brow. He checked his chronometer to discover he had worked through most of his rest shift. He thought he might be able to catch an hour’s shuteye before Pavlovich expected him on the bridge.

  Sitting on the deck of his small ship, he leaned back against the console and questioned what he was doing.

  Ever since his disturbing conversation with the captain, Hayden’s thoughts and emotions had been at odds. He closed his eyes and tried to still the storm in his head.

  “Permission to come aboard?”

  Stella’s lyrical voice roused him from his funk.

  “Granted.” He smiled, aware she saw through his facade.

  “My goodness, it’s close in here. How can you stand this heat?” She sat on the floor beside him.

  “It gets that way when none of the ship’s systems are active.”

  “What are you up to?” She looked about the cabin. Scattered around the deck was the detritus from his repair work.

  “I couldn’t sleep, and my ship needed some maintenance.”

  “Are you planning a trip?”

  He started to answer then shook his head and shrugged. “I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

  “I waited for you to come by last night.” There was no admonishment in her words.

  He sighed. “I’m sorry. I was—am—an emotional mess at the moment. I didn’t want to burden you with any more of my crap.”

  She smiled sympathetically and patted him on the thigh. “When we first met, you would never admit to such a thing. You’ve come a long way, Hayden.”

  “Living for a decade with an empath will do that.”

  Her expression changed to an earnest one. “Do you regret our time together?”

  He tried to smile. “Never. Only the circumstances. You?”

  She looked into his eyes, and her hand caressed his cheek. “Only that I couldn’t do more to help heal your hurt and make it easier for you to forgive me.”

  He gently clasped her hand. “You don’t need forgiveness for anything.”

  “Oh, Hayden, you’re not a good liar. You never said it, but I know that somewhere inside, you resent me for my part in all this. If I had been more forthcoming about my ability, things might be different.”

  “I spent ten years reliving those moments, and every time, I came to the same conclusion. There was no other way. Even if I was aware you could wipe out the Malliac, I would never ask you to do it. When you used your power, it almost killed you.”

  “But it didn’t.”

  “We didn’t know that,” he said. “Things worked out the only possible way they could.”

  “Then why do you continue to torture yourself if there was no other choice?”

  He sighed. “Even though there was no other way, what I did destroyed a civilization. Maybe it was the best of a list of undesirable outcomes, but that still doesn’t diminish the magnitude of my crime. All the lives that were affected—destroyed.” He shook his head.

  She hugged his arm and leaned into his shoulder. “You’re being far too hard on yourself. I wish you saw that.”

  “I’m sorry I drove you away.”

  They sat together in silence for a long time.

  “Are you going to leave?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure I want to be a part of something that can make things worse.”

  “Where would you go?”

  “There is, or was, a large population in this system. I can find a place and blend in.”

  “But that isn’t what you want to do, is it?”

  “In my ideal fantasy, we put everything back together the way it was. Then you and I settle down on Earth and raise fat, happy babies.”

  “While you fulfill your family’s plan for you? What about your dreams and aspirations, Hayden? Do you have none of your own?”

  He regarded her but had no answer.

  “Maybe the problem is not so much forgiving yourself as it is needing your father’s forgiveness. Even now, ten years after the fact, you still live in some fantasy world where you restore your destiny and make him proud.”

  She stood and kissed him on the top of his head. “You need to decide who you are living your life for. Then, maybe, you can be satisfied with the one in front of you.”

  She smiled sadly then turned and departed.

  He buried his face in his hands, letting the conversation swirl in his head. His fatigue only seemed to amplify his confusion. What he needed was a full night’s sleep.

  A klaxon sounded. Pulling himself together, he inserted his ear jack.

  “Cora? What’s going on?”

  “Four ships are approaching at high velocity. We need you on the bridge.”

  He got up and gathered his tools. “ETA?”

  “Two hours, forty-one minutes before we are in their weapons range.”

  “On my way. Is there anything else I should know?”

  “Yes, I can’t raise the cap’n.”

  Sprinting through the corridors, all kinds of questions raced through Hayden’s mind, not the least important being the whereabouts of Pavlovich. Had it not been an emergency situation, he would have checked his quarters. The ship needed an experienced officer on the bridge, and as XO, the duty fell to him, regardless of how little sleep he’d grabbed.

  He pushed open the hatch to find everyone at their stations. He didn’t need Stella to tell him how tense things were. Relieving the watch commander, he sat in the command chair and ordered a complete status report. One, by one, in practised order, the crew manning key stations responded.

  “Ten bogies converging on our position from multiple vectors,” said the tactical officer.

  “I was told four.”

  “Additional ships appeared on sensors just before you arrived, sir. They’re approaching from the opposite direction to the others.”

  “Is there an updated intercept time?”

  “One hour, eight minutes to weapons range.”

  “What the hell? Cora?”

  “My original estimate was correct, but that was before these new ones in front of us showed up.”

  “Navigation, give me some evasion options.”

  Parker responded, “They are covering us from pretty much all key vectors, sir. We can’t avoid them.”

  “Almost like they were expecting us,” said Kaine.

  “That’s because they were,” said Pavlovich, who had just entered the bridge.

  “How is that possible?”

  “I informed them where we are.”

  All eyes turned to the captain.

  “I beg your pardon. You told them were to find us? Why?” asked Hayden.

  Pavlovich’s answer was to advance toward him. “You’re in my seat.”

  He glared at the bearded man towering over him.

  “The chair, Kaine?”

  After hesitating, he decided to comply and got up.


  “Thank you, XO. Helm, bring us to a full stop.”

  “Captain, I believe we are owed an explanation of what is happening,” said Hayden.

  The hatch opened and Stella entered the bridge with a look of grave concern.

  “While you were up all night working on your ship,” said Pavlovich, “I conducted a little research about what’s going on in this system.”

  Hayden swallowed his surprise. “How did you do that?”

  “I made some inquiries of some old buddies I knew to be stationed here.”

  “You can trust them?”

  He chuckled. “About as far as I can throw them under five gees, but they did provide me with some useful intel regarding the present political situation.”

  Hayden ground his teeth and bit back a comment. A quick glance at Stella caught her shaking her head, warning him to be careful.

  “What did you learn?” he asked.

  “I heard differing accounts, but the one common thread is that there was a coup in this system. Admiral Kwong is dead, along with a third of the Thirtieth Fleet.”

  “What happened?”

  “A faction of the military overthrew the government in a bloody conflict that lasted for almost five years. Kwong was on the losing side.”

  “Do you know anything about the victors? Are they pro-Confederacy or something else?”

  “The story depends on who I spoke to and what side of the fight they were on. Ulysses Stromm is the new strongman here, but his grip on power is tenuous at best. From what I can gather, not long after their victory there was a schism. A portion of them broke away and are now in active military opposition to Stromm’s regime.”

  “So which faction is en route to us?”

  “Both of them.”

  “What?”

  “It couldn’t be helped. I had to divulge that we were in the system in order to get the lowdown from anyone I talked to. It didn’t take long for either party to figure out where we are and send their ships.”

  “So what is going to happen when they all arrive?”

  “I expect there may be some exchange of fire.”

  “And what is going to prevent them from targeting us?”

  “Well, I sort of led each to believe we are sympathetic to their cause. They are both rushing here to secure us before the other can. If I played this right, they’ll shoot at one another and leave us alone.”