“I’m not going anywhere,” Sashet answered. “He owes me credits.”
****
“How much longer do they have to make up their mind?” Shawna asked. “We have been taking a long time finishing off the rest of these World Eaters. He isn’t gonna like it.”
“Easy, girl. The hour is just about up. The admiral was generous. It was too much time, in my opinion, but she is in charge.”
“Captain O, are you ready?” Lorelei asked. The Privateers and Warhammer were about to take on the last World Eater. “We can’t let Benjamin with three kids and a shuttle make us look bad.”
“We already took out two of these monsters; this one should be a piece of cake. Would be nice, though, to take it out without desecrating the planet further.”
“Just following his lead if our plan blows up. He always finds the most direct way to destroy something.”
“And ends up in the tank. You forget he gets his ass blown up doing it, too?”
“How is he? Still in the tank?” Lorelei asked.
“Not sure. He won’t talk to me,” Aisling answered. “Doc thinks he’s wasting his time. His nanites repair the damage much faster than the tank. Doc thought that the regen tank, being designed for our species, would help. I’m not so sure it’s physical trauma to his brain or just mental from his life in general. But yes, he’s in and out of it daily.”
“He has a brain? You sure?” Lorelei joked. “Doc should double-check that. Hold on! Aisling, something is going on. Stay in orbit. Nedra, what are they doing?”
“Captain, although I’ve never witnessed it before, I would say the Khalnalax are prepping for departure,” Nedra answered. “The drives that just emerged from its side are building up thrust to take off.”
“Did you copy that, Aisling? Looks like they’re ready to rabbit. Admiral, please report to the bridge,” Lorelei announced ship-wide.
“Copy, bridge. On my way,” the admiral said.
“More than likely same plan, different locale,” Aisling said.
“Yeah, well, I would rather it had been on the surface. No suits, or vacuum, or being frozen and dying in space if we board it here.”
The bridge doors slid open and Binda walked in. “So they’re gonna run.”
“How did you know?”
“Odds were good they would use the hour to get ready, considering the fate of the others. Question is, how do we stop it without creating too much damage?”
“Boarding party, a large one, while they are still using thrusters. We do everything the same except we don’t overload the main drive,” Aisling said. “Blow the shuttle doors with a missile or two. We get on board now and finish up.”
“Agreed. Lorelei, hit them now. Attention: all ships rendezvous with the Warhammer and converge on the World Eater. It’s a huge prize. We can’t let it escape. I want a ten-person boarding party from each ship. If we can’t take it with forty Privateers, then we shouldn’t be out here.”
“Admiral, why did we destroy all the others if they are such a prize?” Shawna asked.
“Many reasons. A Khalnalax fleet could show up at any point and we would have to run, leaving them to use the World Eaters in further conquest of Cjittan. Our contingent isn’t large enough to give up the number of crewman needed to man one or two, let alone six. Prisoners would have to be taken care of and can’t be trusted. Not to mention, the person responsible for all of this likes to blow things up.”
“Shawna, this is all just the beginning,” Lorelei said. “I would have thought it impossible not that long ago, but the Khalnalax underestimated the chance of a threat in this region or there would be reinforcements already. Ships will pass through here in the future. We will do what we are paid to do until they arrive in force to make us leave.”
“Lorelei, we only have until the thrusters stop firing. Then they are going to rip a hole and disappear,” Binda said, bringing them back on task.
“Nedra?”
“I have a lock, Captain. Two low-yield missiles away. Two more locked in the tubes.”
“Aisling, your team will go first. Get out in front of them,” Binda said. “I don’t care what we do as long as it’s space-worthy when we are done.”
“We will head straight for the bridge and shut it down. I’m sending Jared and his marines.”
“What’s plan B?” Shawna asked. “We always have a plan B.”
“Listen up. Plan B, we target and destroy all the thrusters, loot the ship and destroy it. Keep your heads, people, we have time, but not enough to screw around.”
“Admiral, captains, missiles were successful, shuttle bay doors breached.”
“Suggestions? How about one more missile in the hole with the hope it will keep the force field from activating?” Binda said.
“I love when you talk dirty, Admiral,” Shawna said.
“Focus, Shawna,” Lorelei warned.
“I am, Captain. Nedra’s doin’ all the hard stuff.”
“Shawna, get a message out to our Cjittan Generations ship. Tell them what to expect when they arrive. They should be here any day, unless they found a way to make the damn thing go any slower,” Binda said. “And open a com to all ships.”
“Fire, Nedra,” Lorelei ordered.
“Missile away.”
“I was asking for suggestions, Lorelei,” Binda said.
“Oh, sorry. Seemed like a good suggestion to me. Guess we’ll find out in three, two, one… Nedra?”
“I believe it worked. I’m not detecting a force field,” Nedra said. “They’ll have to lock down the shuttle bay, repair inner hull breaches.”
“Be advised everyone: Our torpedo attack was successful, you have an entry point,” Binda announced. “Watch out for debris as you’re entering, something unsecure may be exiting. You know the drill. They will clear atmo in twenty seconds and are all yours, Aisling. Claymore out.”
“Thanks, Binda. Warhammer is ready and waiting,” Aisling replied.
“Captains Tonnek, Lhohn and Sashet, you’ve been listening in. Get your boarding parties ready. Once onboard, defer to and coordinate with Lieutenant Jared and his team from the Warhammer.”
“Aye, Admiral,” three voices echoed.
“Shawna, anything from the Generations ship?” Binda asked.
“No, Ma’am, but the last time Genius said they were lucky to get any of the comm equipment to work. That transmission was sketchy. Maybe the comm array stopped working altogether. We did blow the comm array to hell the day we found the ship.”
“Thank you for reminding me.”
“Well, it was your order,” Shawna muttered.
“You say something?”
“No, Ma’am,” Shawna lied. Lorelei smirked but didn’t rat her out.
“Admiral, you know we could be there right alongside the Warhammer before the rest of the fleet arrives,” Lorelei said.
“We could. But I want to evaluate the others. And our best people aren’t here. They’re on the Generations ship.”
“It’s good the World Eater is equally as slow, then. Matching speed and boarding shouldn’t be problem,” Shawna said.
“I don’t know, Shawna, most pirates aren’t trying to board a fully operational ship that size and crew complement. They look for easy, low-risk targets. Smaller or distressed ships they can overwhelm with their numbers. Our Privateers are not ready for that yet.”
“I get it. In just a few minutes, that’s exactly what that thing will be. In distress.”
“Looks that way, watching it on the screen. Aisling has taken out the weapons between the Warhammer and the shuttle bay. Her shuttle full of marines will be—” Binda stopped short.
“She isn’t sending a shuttle. They are moving the Warhammer into place directly above the shuttle entrance, matching speed,” Lorelei pointed out. “They pulled the powered mech suits out of storage. See the small power signatures? They’re boarding, dropping from the Warhammer into the World Eater. Too bad Benjamin isn’t here to see th
is.”
****
This isn’t helping, Doc Matthews thought. Scans are showing no swelling or bruising of the brain. I tell him to get in the tank and he does; I tell him to get out, he does. I ask how he feels and he shrugs. The foreign nanites in his system have taken care of the damage from head to heel. I get he could still be angry, which is as irrational as the rest of his behavior. The last time I talked about drugs, he got up and walked out, never saying a word. While I have him, I could experiment and come up with something that would help him. Otherwise he will just keep doing what he is doing until it kills him.
“Benjamin, you can get out now. They just started the boarding operation on the last World Eater and I thought you might like to watch,” Doc Matthews spoke into the intercom. The top of the tank slid back and Benjamin sat up. Pulling off the face mask, he stepped out and activated the shower. The viscous liquid rinsed away.
“I’m not concerned with their operation, nor do I care to watch, but I do need to talk to the captain,” he answered. That was something. He sounded formal and called her Captain instead of Aisling.
“She might be busy. Can it wait?” Doc asked because it was true and he wanted to keep the conversation alive. His patient was finally talking to him.
“Not that busy, I think. Where are my armor and weapons?”
“Do you need them? You’re on board the Warhammer. You’re in no danger.”
“I’m not, but you are . . . ” He paused. “Not what I asked you, Doc. I’m coming through that door in two seconds and expect to hear the correct answer.”
“I don’t know where they are, but I will find out.”
“Better. I am going to the bridge,” he said, stepping into the office. “When you locate them, have them brought to the shuttle bay.” That was a relief. He didn’t want them right now. Doc watched him walk out then got on the comm with the bridge.
****
Walking the corridor of the Warhammer brought back memories. She wasn’t so new anymore. Before meeting Andrea or Aisling, the team had traveled on a couple ships just like her. They had nice lines from front to back and the engineers had done a nice job balancing out the systems. Aisling was probably very proud and happy when they turned over the reins to her. It was time to dress and move on.
This will be best for everyone. I’m sure they’ll be glad I’m gone. I’ve caused a lot of trouble on this ship in the past. If they’re not glad now, they will be very shortly.
Aisling had clothes delivered to my room the morning after my arrival. Funny how it all fit. I hoped she hadn’t been holding them for me all this time, or I wasn’t the only one who needed their head examined. At least, that was a partial consensus. I doubted all my people felt that way about me. My usual black ensemble was folded neatly in a drawer. I dressed, double checked the room and walked out. The crew hustled in the corridors running errands. Odd. The ship was at battle stations and the crew should be locked in place at their designated posts. They also might be out of practice. All that time in Trillond running cargo might have made them a little rusty. Doc Matthews didn’t even try to get me to a designated area or keep me in Medical. Happy to get rid of me, possibly.
I had spent enough time on the Warhammer I could find my way anywhere on the ship. She still posted a marine at the door to the bridge. He saw me coming and never took his eyes off me as I closed the distance between us. I didn’t know him, but he probably knew of me. That might be a good thing for him, or might not, depending on his attitude.
“I’m sorry, sir. Unless the captain orders, no one enters the bridge during battle station protocols,” he said. I read his nametag. Johnson. Sergeant. He was on the short side but looked capable enough to guard the door.
“Sergeant Johnson, I’ll wait here while you notify the captain that I wish to speak with her,” I said, looking down at him.
“And who are you?”
“Tell Aisling that Reaper is at the door. I just need a minute of her time.”
“Oh, you’re the badass everyone is talking about.”
“Not sure who everyone is or what they are talking about. Right now, I just need to talk to the captain,” I said again. Third time is the charm, Buddy.
“Not happening. Now go to a designated rally point. They could probably use you at damage control if it’s needed. Or you can hide out in the women’s head. Either one.”
“We don’t know each other, right?”
“No, and I’m not scared of you. I don’t believe the stories; they’re probably all bullshit.”
“Again, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I do know it’s no good being scared. You have nothing to be scared of and your devotion to duty is commendable but I’m not just anybody. Look, I don’t have my com or I would do it myself,” I said.
His hand went to his sidearm. My head dropped the rest of the way, chin resting on my chest, eyes closed. I didn’t open them, the mental picture clear. I grabbed his right wrist with my left and his throat with my right and began squeezing both. He grabbed at my arm, trying to pull it off his throat while I lifted him onto his toes. Some passersby saw what was happening and called for security and the bridge. Good. Now someone would open the door. His wrist popped and his hand went limp for a second. He tried to move it. A muted grunt was his response. I opened my eyes.
He kicked his feet, his face dark red. I studied his face while he hung in front of the door, waiting. I would need to let him have a little more air soon if they kept us much longer . . . and they didn’t. The door moved. I let his wrist go, pulling his sidearm and pushing him. I hoped whoever was on the other side didn’t have a weapon pointed with a finger on the trigger. I didn’t want him dead. He took his job seriously, just had the wrong attitude with me. Bridge security was waiting and ready but had to move his aim and his body to avoid his comrade. I pointed the pistol at his face.
“Hand it to me, butt first . . . please,” I asked. Sparing a glance at the bridge, some of the officers were half out of their seats, all eyes on me. Especially a pair like dancing green fire in a sea of red. Aisling was madder than hell. “People, you’re in the middle of an op. Eyes forward, back to work.” I took the weapon and motioned him to help his partner up. “Aisling . . . ” I said by way of greeting and waited. She was trying to get her thoughts together.
I looked at the two security officers. “Take him to Doc Matthews and get his wrist taken care of. I’ll cover the bridge till you return.” He looked to his captain. I guess Aisling nodded and they went out the door, my little nemesis giving me a hateful look. I smiled at him and walked toward Aisling. “Guy is like a pissed off Chihuahua.”
“You have that effect on people. What am I like? I’m kinda pissed off at the moment,” Aisling asked.
I decided not to answer her. Irish Setters were happy dogs and anything I said would be wrong. Like comparing her to an Irish Setter. “All I wanted was him to let you know I wanted to talk to you. Now. Not in hour or a day.”
“You can be an irritating self-centered asshole, you know.”
I smiled, which further infuriated her. “Yes.”
Her brows furrowed; she hadn’t expected just a one-word answer. I waited.
“Just yes? No argument or smart-ass come back?”
“No. And for the record I didn’t want to hurt that man. I was dealing with his aggressiveness and his mouth but can’t let a hand on a weapon go without a response.”
“Every time you are on my ship, Benjamin, someone gets hurt or dies. Every damn time. No exaggeration.”
“I know. I was trying to leave your ship without an incident, but your man was immediately hostile.”
“I’m sure he was. They know of you for the reasons I just mentioned.”
“I’m not denying it. You got backup on this or flying solo?”
“Don’t change the subject. What do you want?”
“Well I’m leaving and was going to ask to borrow a shuttle and return it to you once I’m at my destination.”
“No. I still haven’t had the last one you used repaired and painted.”
“That one would be perfect. Kinda a lucky charm. Would you call and have them get it ready?”
“You need some more time in the tank to have your hearing fixed? I said no.”
“I see. You were invited to come here and join the Privateers, correct?”
“Yes. You sent the message.”
“Hmm. I didn’t, but I do remember saying it would be good to have you with us. I imagine something else went on, but no matter. You spoke with Binda about what we are doing and chain of command?”
“She is our admiral and all the captains answer to her.”
“Well, she answers to me, and so we are clear there is no one on any ship in the privateer fleet that will block me from entering any room or area. That includes the bridge and private quarters. If that is a problem, then you can recall your people and leave. I’ll send you all a share for what you have participated in so far, including my time with the Doc.”
The officers at all the stations on the bridge were now on the edge of their seats. I could tell nervous posture when I saw it.
“Go. Take the shuttle and make sure you return it.”
“Thank you. If you stay as part of our band of misfits and cutthroats, make sure to instruct your people. I don’t want to visit this ship and have to deal with that kind of situation again. Whatever you and your people think you know about me . . . you may not want to jump to conclusions.”
“You don’t need to wait. I’ll call the shuttle bay and have them move the shuttle and prep it.”
“Thank you. I’m going to hang on to these. I’ll turn them over to security once I get there and load up.”
“Benjamin, I want my shuttle back. I mean it.”
“Aye, Ma’am, heard you the first time,” I said. She was probably going to say something more, but I would never hear it. Genius and the rest of the team would be arriving soon. I was going to meet the Generations ship. There were some mysteries I wanted to solve and the answers lay on that ship and others like it.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 3