by Ryk Brown
“They’re not all going to be that easy, you know.”
“I know,” Cameron assured him. “I expect we’ll be able to grab three, maybe four ships before the Dusahn get wise and stop using the standard jump routes.”
“Or use more escorts,” Nathan added. “Or bigger ones.”
“More? Perhaps, but I don’t think they’ll send larger ships. They would be leaving their more important assets unprotected. You know that.”
“If they think like the Jung,” Nathan agreed. “But we still don’t know that they do. That’s the whole purpose of these anti-shipping ops. To see how they react.”
“And all this time I thought it was to get more dollag steaks,” Cameron joked. “How did things go on Rakuen?”
Nathan’s expression suddenly soured.
“That well, huh?”
“Sebaron and Cornell are so busy jockeying for an advantage over one another, I can’t get anything done. They don’t seem to get that this alliance is going to make them equals.”
“Maybe they do get that, and they simply don’t want it,” Cameron suggested.
“Well, I know Sebaron doesn’t want it. Rakuen has enjoyed supremacy over Neramese for more than a century, despite the fact that both worlds are equal in both population and industrial capacity. To be honest, if Rakuen would share their water a little more freely with Neramese, both worlds would benefit greatly.”
“Surely they see that.”
“Neramese does. They’ve always known that. But Rakuen either doesn’t get it, or they fear it. Personally, I think it’s the latter, and I believe we can use that to our advantage.”
Cameron noticed Nathan’s grin. “You’re not…”
“I am.”
“Sebaron is going to come unglued.”
Nathan’s grin grew larger. “I know. But Cornell will sign in a heartbeat, if we offer him jump missile batteries to defend Neramese.”
“I’m not sure arming Neramese is the best way to get Rakuen to join our alliance,” Cameron warned.
“Probably not, but it will work. Besides, having both worlds armed gives them both a better chance of defending themselves. The Dusahn don’t have enough ships to glass two worlds at once, especially while protecting their assets in the PC.”
“How are you going to convince them that neither world will be able to use their batteries against the other?” Cameron wondered.
“Create a central command,” Nathan replied. “Call it, ‘Rogen Defense Command’, or something. Make sure it’s staffed by both Neramese and Rakuen. I was thinking they could put the command center on the Gunyoki race platform. Maybe replace that pompous VIP observation deck with it. After all, the race platform itself has been open to both worlds for several decades now.”
“I was under the impression that most of the fans were from Rakuen,” Cameron said.
“I think it’s sixty-forty, or something like that,” Nathan replied. “Doesn’t matter where it is, really, as long as it isn’t on either world. The race platform would just be the easiest place to put it, for now.”
Cameron considered the idea for a moment. “It would also make the Rakuens feel a bit more ‘in control’,” she said. “The Nerameseans might not like that.”
“I think the Nerameseans will just be tickled to see the Rakuens squirm at the thought of Neramese becoming armed again.”
Cameron shook her head. “I don’t know, Nathan.”
“Even if Sebaron is dumb enough to refuse to sign, the Gunyoki are not bound by that decision. Sebaron said so himself, less than an hour ago.”
“Some of the Gunyoki might choose to withdraw,” Cameron warned, “to stay on the side of Rakuen, only.”
“Both worlds need to put that damned war behind them,” Nathan insisted. “There are bigger problems beyond their system, and they both know it. We just have to convince them that it’s in their best interests to move on…together.”
Cameron’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re not going to try to get them to hold hands and sing songs of togetherness, are you?”
“Stop it.”
“When do you meet with them again?”
“Sebaron didn’t say when he called for adjournment,” Nathan said. “But if he doesn’t call us to meet again in a day or so, I’m going straight to Neramese and offering them an alliance, separate from Rakuen.”
“You might want to bring an armed escort,” Cameron suggested.
Nathan smiled. “I’ll have Telles with me. I’m pretty sure he can kick all their asses.”
* * *
Other than a small table, a folding chair, and a mattress on the floor, the apartment was empty. The kitchen was also barren, other than a coffee machine, a mug, and a few utensils. Still, it was far more than he had been allowed in prison.
Every morning, Krispin rose with the sun and went for a run, following the trail that wrapped around the NAU complex in downtown Winnipeg. Afterward, he would pick up his breakfast at the cafe on the corner and return to his apartment. His days were spent watching the NAU capital building, particularly the window to the president’s office.
Krispin’s handler had provided him with everything he needed. Surveillance equipment, sensors, recording gear, anything he’d asked for. Anything short of a weapon, that was. Krispin had not yet asked for one, but if he was to do what had been asked of him, he would eventually need one.
Thus far, Krispin had determined that a simple sniper shot through the president’s window would be impossible. The window itself was bulletproof, and there was energy shielding around the entire building. The hit could not be made while the president was inside the capital, at least not from the outside. And it was highly doubtful that Krispin could get inside the complex. Even if his handler could remove Krispin’s identity from all of the facial recognition systems used by NAU security, many ex-EDF types went to work for NAU security, and he couldn’t risk being spotted by one of them.
Krispin had already started growing his hair longer and had stopped shaving. He had even dyed his hair darker and gotten colored contacts. But he had the look of a marine, which worked against him. He needed to soften his muscular physic, while remaining fit enough to meet whatever challenges the assignment might bring.
So, Krispin’s days remained the same. Watching, waiting, and staying under the radar. Eventually, his opportunity would come. As a former sniper, he understood the patience required. As a marine, he understood the careful planning that went into such a mission. But as a man in love, his concentration was often broken by concerns for his mate. Images of her in a drug-induced haze, suffering the abuses of imprisonment, haunted both his sleep and his waking hours. But they also provided him with the motivation he needed to work for those whom he despised.
Perhaps, if he was successful, and he and his love were set free, he might be able to someday return and set things right.
CHAPTER TWO
Nathan walked across the Aurora’s main hangar, bay toward the Seiiki, as her aft cargo ramp finished deploying with a thud. Loki was the first one down the ramp, followed by Marcus and Dalen. “I take it you had a pleasant journey home?” Nathan asked as he approached.
“I wouldn’t call it pleasant,” Loki replied.
“The Mandallon’s crew give you trouble?”
“Not her crew, her jump-nav system. I don’t know what the Dusahn did to it. I had to bypass the entire thing and plot every jump manually. Good thing I thought to bring along a data pad, with all the jump points already in it, otherwise we’d still be in transit.”
“Nice work,” Nathan congratulated.
“I’d suggest we wipe that jump-nav system clean and start from scratch,” Loki suggested.
“Good idea.”
“I’m pretty sure Captain Taff wants to speak with
you,” Loki told him, pointing back over his shoulder.
“You brought him with you?”
“He insisted. We did take his ship, after all.”
“We prefer to think of it as ‘liberating’,” Nathan reminded him.
“It doesn’t matter what we call it, at least not to him.”
“Good point,” Nathan admitted. “I’ll go talk to him. I’ll see you at the action debrief.”
“Yes, sir,” Loki replied, continuing into the hangar.
“No damage taken, Cap’n,” Marcus assured him as he came down the ramp with Dalen. “Never even received fire.”
“Good to hear,” Nathan replied. He was about to head up the ramp when Captain Taff appeared at the top, flanked by Corporal Eliason and his squad of Ghatazhak. “Captain Taff, I presume?”
“I thought they were bullshitting me,” the captain replied in disbelief as he headed down the ramp. When he reached the bottom, he came to attention and offered a salute. “Captain Isiah Taff, formerly specialist Taff of the Corinari, once attached to Major Prechitt’s wing aboard the Aurora, sir.”
“We served together?” Nathan asked, returning the man’s salute.
“Yes, sir. I don’t expect you’d remember me, though. I was a flight mechanic back then. Our paths didn’t cross very often.”
“Laughy Taffy,” Marcus said from underneath the Seiiki’s starboard nacelle. “I thought you looked familiar,” Marcus said, overhearing the conversation.
“You remember this guy?” Nathan asked.
“Yes, sir,” Marcus replied. “He was a bit younger and didn’t have a beard, but that’s him. Kid was always telling jokes, as I recall.”
“It’s how I deal with stress,” Captain Taff said.
“How’d you end up captain of a cargo jump ship?” Nathan wondered.
“Major Prechitt got a bunch of us into flight school when we got back to Corinair. Worked my way up after graduation. I was actually the first officer aboard the Mandallon when the Dusahn initially boarded us. They shot our captain, Tobar McCann.”
“Why?”
“For not kissing their asses the right way, I suppose. They don’t really need much of a reason, from what I hear.”
“You hear much?”
“About the Dusahn? Oh, yeah, quite a bit, actually. Cargo crews like to talk to one another over point-to-point whenever we can. The Dusahn haven’t gotten around to removing that capability yet. I’m sorry I made such a fuss, insisting to see you for myself, sir. But everyone has been talking about you, ever since you guys dropped those leaflets on Aitkenna announcing your return. No one believes you’re alive. Hell, I didn’t believe you were alive. That’s why I needed to see for myself.”
“I understand,” Nathan assured him.
Captain Taff rubbed his head, a small laugh escaping. “Damn, Captain, I’m still finding it hard to believe that you’re alive, and I’m standing right here looking at you,” he added, looking around the hangar bay. “Hell, I’m standing on the deck of the Aurora, talking to Na-Tan. Nobody’s going to believe me.”
“We’ll be sure to take a picture together before you return to your ship,” Nathan promised.
“What are you going to do with us?” Captain Taff asked.
“That depends,” Nathan admitted. “Do you or your crew have any family back home who might be at risk if you don’t return?”
“I’m not married,” Captain Taff replied. “I don’t think any of my crew is either. Maybe a girlfriend or two. Relationships are difficult when you live and work on a cargo jump ship.”
“We’ll return any of your crew who don’t want to join us,” Nathan explained. “But we are taking your cargo and your ship, I’m afraid.”
“No worries, Captain,” Captain Taff assured Nathan. “I can’t speak for my entire crew, of course, but I don’t expect any of them are eager to return to Corinair, not as long as the Dusahn are in control.”
“Thank you, Captain Taff,” Nathan replied. “If you can spare some time, I’m sure my chief of intelligence would love to pick your brain.”
“Happy to help, sir,” Captain Taff replied eagerly.
“Corporal Eliason, would you please escort Captain Taff to Lieutenant Commander Shinoda in the intelligence shack?”
“Aye, sir,” Corporal Eliason replied. “Captain Taff, if you’ll follow me.”
“Captain,” Captain Taff said respectfully as he followed the Ghatazhak corporal across the hangar deck.
Nathan turned to watch the young captain walk away as Marcus came up to stand beside him. “What do you think of him?” Nathan wondered.
“Never saw him as a leader, that’s for sure,” Marcus said. “But he never gave me much trouble. Always did his job, and never complained much. Sure as hell seems happy to see you again, I’ll tell you that.”
“Yeah, he does,” Nathan replied. “I have to admit, it kind of caught me off guard.” Nathan sighed and turned back toward the Seiiki. “You can stand the ship down,” he told Marcus. “The Seiiki’s not going on any more missions until Vlad’s people finish installing plasma torpedo cannons on her.”
“You sure that’s necessary, Cap’n?” Marcus wondered. “Seems like the more weapons you install on her, the more dangerous her missions become.”
“War is hell,” Nathan joked, turning to walk away.
* * *
Birk and Cuddy lay in the small, dark cave, still panting. Birk’s body ached from the beating it had taken during their escape, and he was certain he had at least a few broken ribs, if not other broken bones in his body. He glanced at Cuddy. Other than dirt, sweat, and a few lacerations that had stopped bleeding hours ago, he appeared to be intact.
“I think we’re safe, for now,” Michael proclaimed as he stepped back into the cave.
“Shouldn’t we keep moving?” Cuddy wondered, concern in his tone.
“Easy for you to say,” Birk moaned.
“The ore in these mountains should prevent detection by Dusahn sensors,” Michael explained as he placed his small, portable light on the cave floor. “And the entrance to this cave was small enough that I was able to close it off with a few boulders and some eichen moss. Unless one is specifically looking for it, the entrance should go unnoticed.”
“And if they find it?” Cuddy said. “There’s no other way out, you know.”
“If they find it, we die,” Michael admitted. “But we will die fighting,” he added, holding up his energy rifle.
“What about air?” Birk wondered. “If you sealed up the entrance…”
“There is still a slight breeze coming through, so there must be some other openings to the surface.”
“Maybe there is another way out, then?” Birk suggested hopefully.
“It is possible,” Michael agreed. “However, it is just as likely that they are impassable.”
“I still think we should keep moving,” Cuddy insisted. “We could find our way to the nearest town and get some help.”
“From whom?” Michael asked.
“Surely there are people who want the Dusahn gone as much as we do,” Cuddy said.
“Most people are just trying to keep out of the Dusahn’s way at this point,” Michael told them. “They’d be just as likely to turn us in, as they would to help us. That was the whole point of the Dusahn’s aggressive, initial assault; total dominance. The psychological effect on the population is greater than you think. Caius was well aware of this. That is why he had the Ghatazhak programmed to be loyal to him. So he could use them as shock troops to scare the hell out of people.” Michael settled down next to Birk. “We stay put for now. We rest, and we collect our thoughts. Then we decide what to do next.”
“We don’t have any food or water,” Cuddy pointed out.
“We can survive for weeks without food,” Michael replied. “As for water, three, maybe four days. There is a river not far from here. In a day or two, it should be safe for me to go out at night to retrieve some water.”
“What if the Dusahn are actively scanning the area with satellites?” Cuddy asked. “If we keep moving now, we can get further away before they have the chance to retask a satellite to this area, right?”
“Does he look like he can keep moving for much longer?” Michael asked, pointing at Birk.
“I’m good,” Birk protested between pants.
“No, you are not,” Michael insisted.
Birk looked at Cuddy. “Sorry, he’s right. I’m not.”
Cuddy leaned back against the rocky wall of the small cave and sighed. “Do you think it was our comms system?”
“No way,” Birk insisted.
“Do not do this to yourself,” Michael warned. “It serves no purpose. Besides, there are a hundred ways the Dusahn could have learned of our location.”
“They tested the system, Cuddy,” Birk reminded him.
“Quite thoroughly, in fact,” Michael added. “I still believe the system to be safe. But, once the other cells realize we have been compromised, they will stop using it, at least for now.”
“Then we’re on our own,” Cuddy realized.
“For the foreseeable future, yes.” Michael picked up his light from the cave floor and leaned against the wall. “I suggest that everyone try to get some rest.” Michael turned off the light, leaving them in complete darkness.
“Can we keep the light on?” Birk asked.
“I think it’s best to conserve its energy,” Michael insisted.
“Isn’t it solar-powered?”
“Yes, but we do not know when we will be able to safely recharge it.”
“What’s the matter, Birk? Are you afraid of the dark?” Cuddy teased, trying to lighten the mood.