Convoy (The Shelby Logan Chronicles Book 1)

by Chris Hechtl

  They did have another problem however. Heavy radiation from the local parent star and gas giants in the star system played havoc with some of their sensors and communications. The ships had to keep their shields up to fend the energy bombardment off. The intense solar winds tore up the ion trails too, so they couldn't get a good handle on when ships had come through the star system or where they went.

  According to their intelligence, the small planet Mykonos in the star system unfortunately had a weak magnetic field to fend the radiation off. The planet's core lacked enough iron or wasn't spinning fast enough to do the job. The planet hadn't been terraformed, something of a wonder to Captain Corbin. It was a rarity to find a planet that didn't need it. It had not been colonized by the Taurens prior to the Xeno War due to the radiation. Their intelligence stated that there was a refugee colony on the planet.

  Two hours of searching didn't turn up a single threat in space. Reluctantly the ships set a course to the planet. “This can't be a dead end. They went somewhere …” Captain Corbin growled. “Dispatch recon drones. Find them,” he ordered.

  Four days later they arrived to find that the majority of the native population lived under ground to protect themselves from the radiation. It was unnatural for the Taurens who liked open skies and high ceilings. Scans of the planet's surface showed farms with half-buried brick and mud domes covering pit homes. A few of the farms had an open pit or trench with the rooms built into the sides of the cliff face walls.

  Captain Corbin left contact of the planet up to Captain Loggins since the human captain had the most experience with making first contact with planets.

  “We've got a weak signal, Captain. We've traced it to a flat plateau area. The mesa has what looks like a rock landing strip on top. What is interesting though is that we can see a large thermal presence in the rock. It looks like it has been hollowed out, and there are people living there. There are also signs that people are living in the rock tower structures nearby,” the CIC rating reported.

  Captain Loggins grunted as he looked at the thermal images. He'd seen a few places like that before, but nothing that extensive. The natives had even built artificial tunnels out of stone and brick on the surface. Aqueducts fed water into the area. Based on what they could see, there had to be several hundred thousand people there.

  He sat back as that implication sunk into him.

  The captain realized that living underground was to protect the natives not just from the radiation, but also from the pirates. They had farms and other works above ground but even their farm homes were underground.

  “They've been exposed to the plague, Captain. We're receiving a warning,” the comm rating reported.

  The captain nodded slowly. When the pirates had stopped in and spread the plague, the underground city had cut off all contact with the surface to prevent their populations from being exposed to the plague. But that meant they didn't have any food, right? He frowned thoughtfully.

  “Troglodytes,” he muttered.

  “I've heard of such practices in asteroids of course but …,” the ship's A.I. avatar shook her head.

  “Comm, punch a signal direct to that city. Let them know we have been vaccinated against the plague and can help. Ask them for a timetable for when they were hit by the plague,” he said.

  “So we can get a rough timetable of when the enemy was there?” Ensign Apulia asked. The captain nodded. “Smart, sir.”

  “It will only be a rough estimate. And we'll have to adjust for the local day, but it's a start,” the captain replied.

  ]][#]]]{OO}===}==>

  It took two days to negotiate landing rights. The natives met the shuttle when it landed. Captain Loggins was on hand to negotiate with them. He noted that the natives had on straw hats and Bedouin style clothing. The cloth covered them from head to toe. They must have a good textile industry he thought absently as the shuttle was waved over to a rock overhang.

  When they debarked, he had on a ballcap and sunglasses to protect himself from the light and sun exposure. Doc Gillfree had insisted everyone wear the most powerful sun block she had in her inventory, and the moment he stepped out into the light and he felt his cheeks burn, he was grateful for it. His implants warned him about the UV and radiation exposure. He wondered how the natives handled it; they had to have problems with skin and other cancers.

  “We have the tribute,” one of the Taurens said, indicating stacks of grain and barrels nearby.

  “We aren't Horathians,” the captain said as he reached the bottom of the stairs. He went over and extended his hand to the Tauren. The Tauren flinched but then extended his own gloved one. They briefly shook hands.

  “You are not?”

  “No. We're here hunting them,” the captain replied. He grimaced when he got a second warning. “Look, can we go inside and talk? I guess we got off on the wrong foot so we need to set the record straight.”

  “We can …,” the Tauren waved to indicate a dome nearby.

  “Ahem, we know about the city under us,” the captain said politely, pointing to the ground under their feet. That jerked the Tauren up short. He could tell that the Tauren was not happy that they knew that.

  “Relax, we are here to get rid of the pirates once and for all,” Captain Loggins said firmly as he moved deeper into the shadows.

  “We will believe it when we see it,” the Tauren said bitterly. “When you leave, they'll be back. They are always back,” he snarled, clenching his fists.

  “Sometimes they come right after a visit from another ship,” another Tauren said, piping up from behind the leader.

  “Oh?” the captain asked, cocking his head as the Tauren leader turned an accusing look on his compatriot in his entourage. “Interesting. Do you know which ship?”

  “Why?” the young bull asked curiously, cocking his massive head. The captain noted that his horns had been cut. He glanced surreptitiously at the others and noted they also lacked proper horns.

  “Is it always the same one?” Captain Loggins pressed.

  The two native leaders looked at each other. After a moment, the elder bull shrugged. They both turned to face the captain. “Not always, but sometimes …” the elder bull frowned. “What are you getting at?”

  “The first ship might be followed … or it might be a scout for the pirates. Get you to lower your guard and come out, trade, they get a look around, then when they leave they transmit to their partner what they know,” Captain Loggins explained.

  “That … is sick. But it sort of makes sense …,” one of the females said as the group collectively frowned and digested the idea.

  “If you can think of the ship's names, people, anything we can go off of, we can look into it,” the captain said patiently.

  The elder bull eyed the captain, eyes boring into the officers to gauge his level of intent. The captain met that gaze head on and didn't flinch “You are serious about this?” the elder bull finally asked.

  Captain Loggins nodded. “Yes. We want to get rid of them. They are a pest. Vermin,” the captain growled. “Thieves and murderers. They take what they want, it is one of their creeds, and make you suffer for it. They make people like you live in fear, struggling to survive. That is no way to live.”

  “It is if you wish to survive,” one of the females in the entourage said. “They are predators. That is how nature works.”

  “But if we can stop them, then freedom can return. You and others in this sector can trade freely. You can build and store goods without fear of someone coming and stealing them. It makes for a better future for you and your children,” the human replied patiently.

  “And this is important to you? Why? Why do you care? Why risk your lives? Why build the ships, they cost money … why do any of that?”

  “We are the Federation Navy. It is our job. It is what we're supposed to do,” the captain said. “It's taken us time to get to where we are now, but we're working on building a better future.”

  The group of
natives stared at him. Finally, the elder bull nodded. “Well, all I can say is it is about time you showed up.”

  “Thank you,” Captain Loggins said, cracking a smile. “My name is Captain Ed Loggins. My ship is one of the two cruisers in orbit,” he said. He sent a signal through his implants to the shuttle. He had to relay the signal through the Marine standing near the boarding ramp to get it through though. That was another new tidbit to keep in mind. After a moment, a rating came to the lock, squinting at the light as he carried a medical case. Doctor Gillspree came behind him. “This is Doctor Gillspree. She has the database on the treating the plague that the pirates spread on your planet. She knows how to make it and can help you.”

  “This … is unexpected,” the elder bull said.

  “It's one of the things we're supposed to do,” the doctor said as she stepped off the boarding ramp and came over to shake hands. “We don't have a lot with us, but we've got some care packages to help your people,” she said.

  “We don't know what to say,” a female said, snuffling.

  “If you could arrange for your medics to meet with the doctor here, she can bring them up to speed,” Captain Loggins said. “I wouldn't mind a sit-down with you, sir,” he said with a slight bow to the elder Bull. “ …To talk to you if you don't mind. That is, while our people finish unloading,” he said, turning to indicate the rating as he charged back up the boarding ramp to pick up another package waiting there. “I took a personnel shuttle down, not a cargo one since we only have so much we can deliver. Sorry about that,” he said.

  “This turnabout is … surprising,” the elder said. “You have my people's thanks. My name translates into Drego in your language. I am indeed pleased to meet you …”

  ]][#]]]{OO}===}==>

  “We've got a customer,” a CIC rating reported.

  “Oh?” Captain Corbin said; looking up from the tactical simulation he'd been reviewing. “I'd like something a bit more professional in my contact reports,” he said in mild rebuke.

  “Sorry, sir,” the rating said in a more chastened tone of voice. “The radiation is thick, but we've just detected a new arrival at the Tau-1183 jump point. No IFF at this time.”

  “Understood,” the captain said as his plot was updated. “I take it is too early to tell who it is?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir. She's too far out and the radiation makes it hard to get some sensors through to see her size and class at this distance.”

  “Understood. We are going to leave Vixen in orbit as bait. All warships are to go into silent running now. I need a course projection on that ship soonest so we can generate an intercept vector,” the captain said.

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  ]][#]]]{OO}===}==>

  Captain Loggins was impressed when he was led into the cave city. The passage they went through opened up into a vast chamber with a series of cornucopia trees down the center. What also impressed him was that, although they used some electrical lights, a majority of the lighting came from glowing fungus, other plants and bio-illuminated animals. There was even a waterfall and a series of water fountains with statues. The tighter cavern areas were reserved for the smaller species, which only made sense. The Taurens and other large species stuck to the large open areas.

  Some people wore face masks, most likely wary of infection. He couldn't blame them. As they walked he noted interest in him. He nodded politely to the natives but kept up the idle conversation with the native leader and his retinue.

  They passed through a market, which was partially deserted. He noted open air cafes and other places of business on the next “street.” Here and there on the street entertainers of various species played instruments or did tricks for tips. The air in the place was kept moving by a light breeze. He was surprised to trace it to water and electric powered fans high up in the caverns above that had to lead to the surface.

  “I'm very impressed. You people have been doing incredible things when others would have given up. You adapted well,” he said by way of a compliment.

  “Thank you. It is the only way to survive here.”

  “I see. We heard of another planet, Pele. The population there is barely surviving on a volcanic planet. Tell me, they want to get off and resettle elsewhere according to what we've heard. Do you and your people?”

  “This is home,” the Tauren rumbled.

  The human nodded.

  He heard something scratchy on his implants, making him wince. He turned to locate the source. “Captain Loggins, we … ship … arrival …. tango …” the captain instantly froze. “Repeat that?” he demanded, one hand going to his right ear. The entourage paused around him and stared at him. It took three tries to get the full message. When he did, he straightened and turned to his host. “The ships in orbit are reporting a new arrival. They are going to see who it is.”

  “That is … not good.”

  “Perhaps for them. We're here in part to find the people spreading the plague and stopping them. If that is them, then we'll be happy. If it isn't, perhaps they'll lead us to them,” the captain said. “The ships have gone silent so I can't leave anytime soon. I think we've got plenty of time to talk,” he said with a brief smile.

  “I guess we do,” the elder rumbled.

  ]][#]]]{OO}===}==>

  “Sir, the ship is on course for the planet as expected. She is broadcasting an encrypted Horathian IFF to Vixen. Vixen has replied with an older Horathian IFF,” the comm rating reported.

  “Well, that certainly simplified things,” Captain Corbin drawled. He had taken the four warships out on an intercept course once CIC had nailed down the Tango's course and speed. That the ship was headed to orbit of the planet made their job simpler and easier.

  There had been a bit of concern over the ship's mass, but that had quickly ended when CIC had confirmed that the ship was a Conestoga class colony ship. Most likely she was a salvage job or perhaps even a prize ship on her way to a pirate base.

  “Ten minutes until we're in range,” tactical reported. “We've got them bracketed,” the Veraxin tactical officer observed.

  “They might be in the basket but we're not home free just yet,” the captain replied dryly.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Ten minutes later the ship had yet to bolt or show any sign of knowing the four warships were stalking it. “Tango is confirmed as a Conestoga, sir. No sign of weapons. Force has her bracketed; she can't run,” tactical reported.

  “Good. Drop our stealth,” the captain ordered. “Comm, message to transmit.” he straightened and squared his shoulders. “This is Captain Corbin of the Federation warship Strike from the Dark. Horathian ship, you are ordered to heave to and prepare to be boarded. Should you fail to comply you will be fired upon. If you try to run, you will be destroyed,” he said in his best menacing voice.

  “Good copy, sir,” the comm rating reported a moment after she replayed the message through her implants.

  “Then transmit it.”

  “She's running,” CIC reported. “Commander Bentley has just dropped stealth. Radical course change by the Tango. Puglia has just dropped stealth. Third course change, Lightening Strike has just dropped her stealth. Tango has ceased acceleration.”

  “We're receiving a transmission,” the comm rating said almost gleefully.

  The captain nodded once. “Put it through.”

  “You really had me going there,” a voice said over the intercom. “Seriously, good job with the prank but enough is enough,” a voice said with a slight tone of concern.

  “Who's joking?” the captain said.

  “But … but you …?”

  “I'm not kidding. Prepare to be boarded. If you value your skin, you had better not harm any prisoners on board, nor your ship's databases. They and you now belong to the Federation navy,” the captain growled.

  “The admiral will hear of this!” the voice protested, rising in pitch as desperation kicked in.

  “I bet he will. Later,” the captain dra
wled. It felt good to put the bastard through the same situation he'd undoubtedly put others through. He took some small pleasure in the reversal of fortunes. “Now, are you going to comply or do we need to get nasty?” he asked as all four ships lashed the ship with their fire control.

  “We … will comply with your order,” the voice came back, sullen and petulant.

  “Any resistance will be met with lethal force. Captain Corbin out,” the captain stated. He turned to the XO. “Launch the pinnace with the Marine boarding parties.”

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  ]][#]]]{OO}===}==>

  The five ships had to make some adjustments to their course given the brief chase. They arrived in orbit two days later.

  The Marines had discovered that the ship was a recovered prize ship. According to the survivors they had rescued, the ship had been taken over a year prior and had been lumbering for the pirate's capital city ever since. That tidbit was tantalizing to the sailors and officers to know.

  So was the information that Tortuga was one jump away. That was both interesting and worrying for the officers.

  The warship's medics were still busy dealing with the prisoners. The pent-up release of emotions at the rescue was rough on many of the crew as well as the survivors. Trauma therapy was also going to be warranted for the crew.

  For the ship itself, it was a mixed blessing for Captain Corbin to have to deal with. The ship was a refitted Conestoga class colony ship predating the founding of the Federation. The design was rugged, probably why it remained in use up until the present day.

  He hadn't known what to do with the ship until Captain Loggins had come up from the planet and had been briefed on the situation. The human captain had suggested turning the ship over to the crew and to refit it with the limited engineering resources from the warships.