Rena Liachov and her thickly bearded sergeant arrived a moment later. Ben poured ale into a cup and handed it to the man.
“I’m Ben,” he said.
“Sergeant Ike Lansing,” the man replied, taking the cup and sniffing its contents.
Ben poured another glass and handed it to Liachov.
“It’s Chembrew from the Genovisi Shipyards,” Ben explained. “It may not be as good as what you were used to at Brimex, but it’s the best we’ve got.”
“Not bad,” Ike said, sucking the foam off his mustache. “I kind of like it.”
“What plans did you want to go over with us?” Liachov said, sitting down on her side of the table.
Ben sat down, and Ike sat beside his lieutenant. The other freedom fighters were emerging from the cabins.
“How are the rooms?” Ben asked.
“Fine,” Liachov said.
“I hope you aren’t too crowded.”
“We’ll make do,” she replied. “We’ve endured much, much worse.”
“Ha! You can say that again,” Ike commented.
“Good, well, I thought I’d share our plans with you. We’re making a short jump now. Just six hours.”
“Where to?” Liachov asked.
“Nowhere,” Ben said. “It’s empty space. It’s standard procedure. We don’t want to jump straight to our destination because you can only travel through hyperspace in straight lines. So we zig and zag a little, just in case someone tries to predict where we’re going.”
“Makes sense,” Ike said.
“After this jump, we’ll be moving on to the Dennab system. We’ll make a quick drop there, then continue on to the Knoxx system.”
“Why not go straight on to the Briggs system?” Liachov asked. “If you have to zig and zag anyway, it makes sense that perhaps you backtrack sometimes.”
“It does make sense,” Ben admitted, “but it also consumes more fuel.”
Liachov nodded.
“So then you’re working just for profit on these side jobs?” she said the last two words as if they left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Yes,” Ben said. “We’re doing what we do, which is carrying cargo between worlds without government approval. It’s what makes it possible for us to deliver you and your squad to Brigton.”
“It makes you criminals,” Liachov said. “You’re better than that.”
“Your rebellion makes you a criminal too,” Ben pointed out.
“But with honor,” Liachov said. “You’re just in it for the money.”
“Who’s getting goods in the Dennab system?” Ike asked.
“It’s a shipment of small arms,” Ben said. “Just a couple of crates. Halpha Seven has a ban on weapons.”
“So you’re supplying criminals,” Liachov said.
“Actually, they’re a group of patriots planning to subvert the Royal Imperium’s control on their planet,” Ben said.
The look on Rena’s face was complete shock. It didn’t appear that she had considered that they could be helping other rebel groups outside the Confederacy.
“I didn’t know that,” she said, looking down into her cup.
“Aye, we’ve not heard anything about Halpha Seven in the Confederacy,” Ike said.
“From the instructions I received, they aren’t affiliated with the Confederacy,” Ben explained. “Halpha is a Theocratic world. They’ve been at peace for centuries. From what I understand, they didn’t resist Imperium control because their religion bans violence of any kind. Apparently, not everyone agrees, though.”
“So they’re beginning to organize,” Liachov said. “We could help them.”
“That might be,” Ben said. “You’re welcome to talk to whomever we deliver the goods to.”
The stern lieutenant’s attitude changed immediately. She got to her feet and waved over one of her squad mates.
“Find out everything you can about Halpha Seven in the...”
“Dennab system,” Ben filled in.
“Yes, the Dennab system,” Rena said, turning to Ben. “How much time until we get there?”
“Eighteen hours till we’re in the system,” he said. “A few more to make landfall if we don’t run into trouble along the way.”
“Alright. I want a full report in no more than twenty hours,” Liachov ordered.
The freedom fighter saluted and then hurried away. Rena sat back down as Ike poured himself another glass of ale.
“I don’t suppose all your drops are to rebel groups?” Ike asked.
“No, they aren’t,” Ben said. “But in one way or another, they are all for groups resisting the Royal Imperium’s control.”
“Maybe I judged you too quickly,” Liachov said. “I’m sorry for that.”
“Me too, but it’s probably just as much my fault as yours. We’re new at this and still trying to find our place in the cosmic scheme of things. I want to apologize for being rude earlier. My stress got the best of me. You’re welcome on the bridge and in the recreation space downstairs. Feel free to prepare whatever food you can in the galley. It’s mostly protein bricks and highly processed flavor packets.”
“We’ll see to ourselves,” Liachov said, “and make sure we don’t drink too much ale. Isn’t that right, Sergeant?”
Ike had the pitcher in hand to pour himself a third glass. He grimaced and set the pitcher of ale down.
“Aye, Lieutenant,” Ike said in a sour tone.
“Why don’t you put together a sleep rotation and exercise schedule,” Liachov added. “I don’t want anyone getting into trouble.”
Ike got to his feet and nodded before moving away.
“Well, I’ve got a few projects to see to,” Ben said.
“Thank you for filling me in,” Rena Liachov said. “It was kind of you.”
“My pleasure,” Ben said. “If you need anything, let one of us know.”
“I will,” she said with a smile.
It was the first time Ben had seen the stern officer look relaxed. She was beautiful, and his heart beat a little faster. He got to his feet, feeling clumsy and awkward. Part of him searched for a reason to stay, but there wasn’t one. He would go down, relieve Nance, and take a shift on the bridge. As he left the upper deck, his mind turned to Kim, and he felt guilty all over again. Nothing good could come of flirting with Rena Liachov. She was a woman on a mission to free her home world. There was no future to be had with her, yet he couldn’t help but want it. Perhaps he even wanted it more because he knew it wasn’t possible to sustain.
On the bridge, he dropped into his seat and looked at his console. Everything was in the green, and he wondered just how long he could keep it that way.
Chapter 11
“One minute,” Nance said.
The tension on the bridge was thick. Partly because they were coming out of hyperspace into an unknown situation in the Dennab system. And partly because Kim had made it known she didn’t approve of Lieutenant Liachov being on the bridge. The freedom fighter was at the communications console while the rest of her squad waited on the upper level.
“Magnum, be ready with those deflector shields,” Ben said.
“Affirmative,” the big man said.
“Thirty seconds,” Nance said.
“Everyone, just relax,” Kim said. “I’ve got this.”
“Visual scanning only,” Ben said. “I don’t want a radar ping alerting the fleet that we’re in the system.”
Everyone had a section of space to monitor via the ship’s exterior cameras. Ben was taking the starboard side, Magnum the port, Nance the rear. Kim would scan the space directly ahead of them, and Liachov had volunteered to watch the space above and below them. At the moment, the cameras only showed the luminous fog of hyperspace, but that would change the instant they dropped out into real space.
“Ten seconds,” Nance warned.
She counted down, and at zero, everything seemed to stretch, like a rubber band being pulled from both ends. And then the
glowing cloud was gone. On Ben’s monitors, there was nothing but stars and the dark void of space.
“All clear ahead,” Kim said.
“I’m clear too,” Nancy said.
“Clear,” Magnum said.
“Nothing on my scopes,” Liachov said.
“See, I told you it wouldn’t be a problem,” Kim said.
Ben breathed a sigh of relief. They were close enough to Halpha Seven to see a few orbital satellites, but there were no drones or Fleet spaceships. And no Imperium space station anywhere in sight.
“Is it possible that there are no Imperium ships in this entire system?” Ben said.
“It’s kind of blowing my mind,” Kim replied.
“Halpha Seven is a peaceful world,” Nance said. “Perhaps the Royal Imperium doesn’t feel that a military presence is needed.”
“I still want to proceed with caution,” Ben said. “Kim, you have the coordinates for our rendezvous, but let’s avoid the satellites if possible.”
“Roger that,” Kim said.
The Echo flew silently through space toward the planet. They took their time, scanning constantly for enemy ships, knowing that at any second a Fleet vessel might come into sight from the far side of the planet, or drop out of hyperspace right on top of them.
The ship’s systems were all in good shape. Nance reported no communications from the planet, which indicated that they hadn’t been noticed. After dropping into orbit, Kim turned on the ship’s intercom system.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking,” Kim said. “We’ll be entering Halpha’s orbit momentarily, and while our artificial gravity should overcome any turbulence we might encounter, I suggest you sit your butts down and hang onto something, just in case.”
“Nice,” Ben said.
“Just looking out for the goon squad,” Kim said.
Ben didn’t have to look at Lieutenant Liachov to know she was annoyed. The planet on the main display screen seemed to flip over on top of them as Kim dove down into the planet’s upper atmosphere. They were taking their time, using the ship’s engines to slow their descent to keep from blazing a fiery path through the sky that could be seen and tracked. The planet had little air traffic, and Kim spiraled down toward the rendezvous point without encountering any resistance.
“We’re being hailed,” Nance said as the ship dropped down to just a few thousand feet above what appeared to be a thick forest. “Short-beam radio transmission.”
“Let’s hear it?” Ben said. “The password is Jubilee.”
Incoming aircraft, please identify yourself, said a voice that crackled with static over the ship’s speakers.
“This is the Modulus Echo approaching,” Ben said. “Code word is Jubilee.”
Roger, Modulus Echo. Code word is accepted. Please proceed to the landing area.
“There’s not much room for error down there,” Kim said, as the ship hovered just above the tree line.
“They aren’t taking any chances,” Ben said.
“Nice and easy,” Kim said.
“Lieutenant, anything in the sky above us?” Ben asked.
“Negative,” Liachov said. “We’re clear.”
“Alright, Magnum, let’s get those crates offloaded,” Ben continued. “Then we can push on to the next drop ASAP.”
“And there you have it,” Kim crowed. “Another perfect landing. You’re welcome.”
Ben grinned. He had to admit he enjoyed Kim’s confidence and banter, even if it stung at times. They went down to the cargo bay and popped open the back hatch. Two men and a woman were waiting in the nearby tree line.
“Hello,” Ben said, walking out toward them. “We’ve got a delivery from Brimex.”
“Peace to you,” the woman said as all three of the locals bowed slightly. “You’re here sooner than we expected.”
“Where can we offload the cargo?” Ben asked.
“Here is fine,” the woman said.
Rena and Magnum carried the first crate down the ramp and set down in front of the woman. Her two companions came close. Ben thought all three looked nervous.
“May I?” the woman asked, pointing at the crate.
“By all means,” Ben said. “It’s your gear.”
Her hands shook as she popped the seals on the crate. The men lifted it off to reveal forty Brimex R4 laser repeaters. They were larger than pistols but smaller than rifles, with folding stocks and a variety of upgrades including barrel extensions, scope mounts, power adjusters, and coolant systems for heavy fire. The crate was neatly packed with the weapons and accessories.
Magnum and Liachov returned with the second crate as the woman bent down and touched one of the laser guns.
“You ever see a weapon before?” Liachov asked.
“No,” the woman said. “Weapons are outlawed here.”
“I heard about that,” Liachov said. “I think it was the Council of Hemradon that banned all weapons.”
“That’s right,” the woman said standing up. “And thou shalt not smite thy brother, nor create weapons to smite, or celebrate violence.”
“So why get them now?” Rena asked.
“There are some who believe the Royal Imperium is overstepping their bounds,” one of the men said, speaking up for the first time. “They are unbelievers, so not our brothers.”
“We have heard many disturbing rumors,” the woman added. “We are a peaceful people and accepted their oversight of our planet without complaint. We pay our taxes despite our distaste for the Imperium’s policies. But many fear a restriction of our religious freedom.”
“You should,” Liachov said.
Ben could hear the fervor for her own cause in her voice. The people of Halpha Seven believed in their religion, and Rena Liachov believed in her rebellion.
“We’ve seen planets at war with the Royal Imperium,” Ben said. “And we’ve seen planets at peace being drugged by the Fleet that claimed to protect them.”
The woman looked at her companions with fear in her eyes.
“It isn’t wrong to stand against tyranny,” Liachov said. “In fact, it is the noble thing to do. You are arming yourselves for a conflict that is certain to come. I see the wisdom in that.”
“We are not fighters,” the woman said.
“Nor was I,” Liachov said. “But I learned. The Royal Imperium enslaved my people who spoke out against them. And war came to my planet. It isn’t what we wanted, but there is only so much corruption that intelligent people can tolerate.”
“Many still believe this is a mistake,” the woman said. “We do not wish for war.”
“But you can be of help to those who are willing to wage it,” Liachov added. “There is a Confederacy of worlds fighting to be free.”
“A Confederacy?” the woman asked.
Liachov turned and waved to the ship. Another of her freedom fighters came down the ramp.
“This is Roland, one of my most trusted men,” Liachov said, “and a weapons expert. He has volunteered to stay and help you, if that is your desire. He can train your people to use these weapons in a safe manner and act as a liaison to the Confederacy. There are a number of ways that your people could help without fighting.”
“No one here lives outside the faith,” the woman said, looking at Roland.
“I’ve studied your history,” Roland said. “I am willing to convert to your faith, if you’ll have me.”
The woman looked at her companions, who nodded. She turned back to Roland. “We would be glad for your assistance. Welcome, brother.”
The woman stepped up to Roland and embraced him. The soldier stiffened a little, but returned the hug. Then stepped over beside the other two men.
“Once we return to Brigton, I’ll inform the Confederacy of your openness to discussing how you might help the cause of freedom,” Liachov said.
“Is there anything else we can do before we go?” Ben asked.
“You are welcome to stay and rest if you would like.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Ben said. “But I think it best if we leave before we attract any unwanted attention.”
The woman and her companions bowed again, then Ben returned to the ship. Magnum was waiting just inside the ramp. Liachov followed him back a few seconds later, and Ben tapped the com-link on his collar.
“We’re on board and ready to go,” he said.
“Roger that,” Kim replied. “Spooling up the engines now.”
“Skies are clear of aircraft,” Nance said.
“Lifting off now,” Kim announced.
Ben was halfway up the stairs and marveling at how smooth their first drop for Brimex had been. Of course, the people of Halpha Seven were peaceful and had never touched a weapon before, but still it surprised Ben that there was no sign of an Imperium presence.
“How’d it go?” Kim asked as Ben returned to his chair.
“Couldn’t have gone better,” Ben replied.
“Coms are clear,” Nance said. “No visual sign of enemy vessels.”
“Easy money,” Kim said.
“Let’s hope they’re all as smooth as that,” Ben said.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Rena said softly.
“Don’t worry, we may not be soldiers but we can handle ourselves just fine,” Kim said from her pilot’s seat.
“One down, three to go,” Ben said.
“Where to next?” Magnum asked.
“The Knoxx system,” Ben said. “There’s a band of rebels on KX23 who need resupply.”
“Rebels?” Liachov said with a raised eyebrow.
“They’re all bloodthirsty killers,” Kim said. “You’ll love ‘em.”
Rena Liachov looked at Ben. All he could do was shrug his shoulders and smile.
Chapter 12
Kim twisted the joystick, and the Echo spun through the air. They were already high above the clouds and she wanted one last look at the peaceful planet below. There was something undeniably attractive about the world. It wasn’t merely the lush forest, or the lack of the Royal Security Force. She found it hard to believe that any world could be so quiet and serene. There was almost no air traffic. If the citizens of Halpha traveled, Kim had no idea how they managed it. There were no roads cutting through the native flora. No sparkling cities defacing the natural beauty of the land. It was as though the citizens of that world were in perfect harmony with the land.
Jump Point: Kestrel Class Saga Book 2 Page 7