by Cary Caffrey
"Thank you, Captain. That is a generous offer. But I'm afraid I must decline."
"With all due respect, Ms. Novak. To refuse our aid, I think that would be a mistake. Bellatrix is a long way from here. I have discussed this with Lady Hitomi. We both agree; there is a strong likelihood that this is a trap. You should not undertake this mission without adequate support."
"No, she shouldn't," Christian said. "I tried to tell her the same thing."
"And I agree, Captain—both of you," Sigrid said. "I understand your concerns. More than you may ever know. I ignored your advice on Konoe, Captain. That was my mistake. A mistake I don't intend to make again."
"If that's true, then why refuse our assistance now?"
"Because, Captain, because I have another task in mind for you, a mission, if you'll accept it."
"Of course."
"Don't be so sure, Captain. I'm afraid what I have to ask of you might prove to be the most dangerous mission of all. After our run-in with the Merchantmen, it occurred to me how vulnerable we are. I can't help but think if we'd had even one combat-capable ship with us at Konoe, Corbin Price might have thought twice before attacking our ships and taking your crew. We need ships, Captain. Armed ships. We can't afford to risk traveling without proper escort any longer. The location of our home is secret now, but I fear, in time, we may need the deterrent, if not the defensive capabilities, that proper ships will provide."
The captain sat back, his hand reaching once more for his wiry, greying beard, but his eyes remained fixed on her. "Such thoughts had occurred to me. Perhaps…perhaps it is possible. There might be something we could do. More ships might be arranged."
"Not just ships, Captain. New Alcyone needs her own fleet and the crews to man them. I'm afraid that is what I must ask of you now."
"Is that all?" Suko asked mildly.
Sigrid glanced back and saw the grin on Suko's face.
"I know it's a lot to ask, Captain. I don't even have an idea of how it can be done. I only know it must."
Sigrid waited, worried and wondering. Then she saw the smile slowly form on his lips, the sudden spark of fire in his eyes.
"You are a most interesting young woman, Ms. Novak. I'm certain you've been told this before."
Sigrid wasn't sure how to answer, so she remained silent.
"But I think you are entirely correct. As long as the location of New Alcyone remains secret, we will be safe, but the time will come when that veil is lifted. When it does, the situation here will become untenable. We must be prepared to defend ourselves."
Sigrid sat straighter, blinking. "So you'll do it?"
The captain chuckled. "Yes, Ms. Novak, it will be my pleasure."
"Just—just like that? Do you even think it's possible?"
"Not only is it possible, it is essential. You will have your fleet. I will see to it."
"Well, not my fleet, Captain. It's not for me. It's for New Alcyone."
The captain merely smiled and bowed his head. "Of course. For New Alcyone. I will see to it personally. When you return, it will be done."
Sigrid let out a long breath—one she hadn't realized she'd been holding in. "Captain…I can't tell you what this will mean for us."
"I haven't done anything yet, Ms. Novak."
"You will, Captain," Sigrid said. "I know you will."
Behind her, Sigrid heard Christian clearing his throat. "I'm gathering," Christian said, "this is the 'dangerous' mission you were telling me about."
"It is," Sigrid said. "Captain, I know how shorthanded you are for command staff. I thought perhaps you could use Lieutenant Lopez. He's proven to be a loyal and skilled officer."
"High praise, Ms. Novak, coming from you." Captain Trybuszkiewicz rose to face Christian. "The Shinshu Maru finds herself without a captain, Lieutenant. She's little more than a converted tanker, hardly worthy of battle. But she's yours, if you'll have her."
Christian looked up; thoroughly startled, he straightened himself. "You want me to…command?"
"If you think you're up to it, Lieutenant."
Sigrid smiled inwardly. In her short time as a mercenary she had learned, no soldier in his right mind would turn down the challenge of a command or a ship of his own.
Christian snapped to stiff attention, saluting smartly. "Sir. It would be an honor, sir. And a privilege."
"I do, however, have one request, Ms. Novak," the captain said, turning back to her.
"Anything, Captain. Whatever I can do."
"It was my pleasure to serve with you on the Konoe mission. If I had my choice, I would request that you serve with me again. But I realize that's impossible. You, of course, have your own mission. But, if you could spare one of your…sisters, I think is how you girls put it?"
"Yes, Captain, that is the term."
"If you could have one of them assigned to me for the duration, I know it would increase our chances of success."
Sigrid smiled. "I can do better than that, Captain. I shall assign you two."
"Two girls!" the captain said, sounding impressed. "Why, Ms. Novak, with two of you along, I don't see why we can't bring back the entire CTF Fleet."
*
Sigrid and Suko left the two Kimuran officers to discuss their mission. So eager were the two men to commence planning, she doubted they even noticed as the two girls slipped away. Sigrid paused on the steps outside, leaning against the rail. There was a chill in the evening air, not that she would notice. Suko closed the door behind her, coming to stand at her side.
"Like kids in a candy store," Suko said. "I think you made their day."
Sigrid shook her head. "I only hope they know it's not a game."
"They know. They're professionals. They'll be okay."
"I know." Tired, exhausted, Sigrid leaned into her, and she let Suko hold her, her arm around her shoulders. "Still, I can't help wondering if this is all some trick—a trap to lure us away? That's what they did on Konoe."
"If it is a trap, then it's their trap." Suko's arm tightened about her shoulder. "You worry too much. "
"I can't help it. I can't afford any mistakes, Suko. Not this time. I keep wondering if there's something I've forgotten, something I've missed. I couldn't bear it if someone were to get hurt."
"We're big girls, Seeg. Our getting hurt or not getting hurt—it's not your responsibility. This mission is just as important to us as it is to you."
"I know."
"Although…" Suko said, peering down at her. "There might be one thing…"
"What?"
"Something you forgot."
Sigrid cursed. "I knew it!" She searched frantically through her database for what or whom she might have missed, but she could find nothing. "Blast! What? Who?"
Suko laughed. "Me! You forgot me."
"You? What do you mean?"
"Well, Leta, Khepri, Christian, they have their assignments. Even Trudy! But you never said anything to me."
"To you? But…of course you're coming!"
Suko tilted her head in a demure fashion. "Well, it's not like you asked."
"Asked? What the… Suko, you know you're coming with me. I could never do this without you. You know that!"
"Still, a girl does like to be asked. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. Am I to work in the ship's mess? Or perhaps be a deckhand?"
"Deckhand?" Sigrid scowled, not at the tease, but because she was such an easy mark for Suko. She made a swipe at Suko's shoulder, but Suko caught her hand and pulled her into her arms, and Sigrid was happy to let herself be held. "Deckhand," Sigrid said again. "I hadn't considered that. Perhaps I could have you assigned to Captain Trybuszkiewicz. He did say something about needing more crew—something about toting barges or lifting bales or some such. It was rather technical. I'll have to ask him."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"No," Sigrid said, "I wouldn't. You're assigned to me, and you know it."
"Assigned? Is that the official mercenary designation?"
Sigrid's hands swept around Suko's waist and dropped lower. "I'm not sure there's a proper designation in the guild handbook for what I have in mind."
Suko glanced back at Sigrid's hands on her backside. "Shall I be the captain's woman, then? Kept and quartered?"
"I think I like the sound of that." Sigrid pulled her closer then, their weapon harnesses, holsters and spare ammunitions packs becoming ensnared, metal clanking against metal.
"When do we leave?"
"Lady Hitomi thinks it will take a few days to make the final arrangements."
"Days? And what shall we do with all that time?"
Leading her by the hand, Sigrid started toward the beach. "I think I'd like to see you in your new swimming costume, for one."
"Swimming? Now?"
"And when will I get another chance to swim? I don't think Bellatrix is known for its sandy shores."
"Well, they might have a pool—"
Sigrid looked around, at the Academy grounds, the white beaches and the ocean beyond, wondering when she'd see their shores again, wondering when she'd have another moment with Suko like this.
"Yes," Sigrid said. "A swim. I think it's time you had a proper lesson."
CHAPTER NINE
Last Flight of the Ōmi Maru
During the following week, their ships were thoroughly inspected and serviced. All of the ships were to be used; they could afford to leave none of them behind. Upgrades to the Kimuran freighters were made where possible, retrofitting whatever weapons systems the teams of engineers could cobble together; ordnance and supplies were loaded and stowed.
Lady Hitomi took care to arrange for their insertion into Bellatrix space. New identities were prepared for Sigrid and her crew of freelancers, a flight plan filed with the Relay Monitor. Even the Morrigan's transponder was altered—something Sigrid understood to be impossible, though, when it came to her mistress, Sigrid had come to learn that very little was impossible. As far as the authorities were concerned, her ship was now registered as the Helena, a freelance scout out of Rastaban.
For Sigrid there was little to do but wait, a thoroughly frustrating and stressful experience. Six days later, an agonizing eternity, Sigrid found herself standing on the landing platform beside the Morrigan. The sudden roar of thrusters firing from the berth next to her drew her attention. It was the Ōmi Maru, first of the Kimuran transports to depart. She blasted her way skyward, her engines serving to shake the earth around her as much as they signaled the commencement of the operation.
It had begun. There would be no turning back now.
One by one, the three remaining Kimuran vessels lifted off. Last off the pad was the Shinshu Maru, Christian's ship. Sigrid heard the resonance of her engines shift as her thrusters handed over their duties to the main engines, blasting her clear of New Alcyone's pull. Sigrid watched as it trailed the others skyward until she could see it no more. Then they were gone, on their way to fulfill Sigrid's request. An insane request—she knew that now.
Silently, Sigrid wished them luck and wondered when she might see her friends again.
"They'll do all right," Suko said as she dropped the last of the weapons containers at her side; she had to move away quickly as the crew leapt forward to load it into the hold.
"I shouldn't have asked them to do this. I should have gone with them."
"You have your own mission to worry about. You have to let them do theirs."
With the Kimurans gone, their island home appeared eerily silent, empty. Only the Morrigan remained, and even she would be gone soon. Sigrid had to remind herself, she wasn't abandoning them, she was doing what she promised.
It was the only way.
"Karen!"
Sigrid practically tackled the Kimuran officer who'd arrived up the path, running and wrapping her arms around her.
"We came to see you off," Karen said, gesturing to the girl at her side. Sigrid recognized her as Zaria, one of the young ones.
The girl was a curiosity to be sure. At fourteen, she was a master of pyrotechnics. Burning things seemed to please her immensely, and she had an innate talent for blowing things to splintery bits. Yet she was a quiet thing, almost always keeping to herself, which was why Sigrid was so surprised to find her here to see her off.
"I hope you don't mind," Karen said. "I know you're busy, but she insisted."
"No, I think it's wonderful. Thank you, Zaria. You're very kind.”
"And, well, she made you something," Karen said. "A bit of a…goodbye present."
"A present? Zaria, what exactly…?"
Zaria stepped forward. She held an object in her hands, a small black case—the goodbye present.
Sigrid took it hesitantly. "What is it?"
"Open it!" Zaria said.
"Carefully!" Karen added.
Sigrid did so, releasing the latches. "Oh, Zaria…you didn't."
Reaching forward, Zaria lifted the object from the case. "I made her for the trip. I hope you like it."
Sigrid gave the object a series of scans. The readings were startling.
"Zaria, did…did you make a nuke?"
"You don't like it?"
"That's not the point. Zaria, how did you do it?"
Zaria scratched absently at her head; one of her braids came loose in her fingers. "It's quite simple, really. It's just a matter of fusing the deuterium with the tritium. I used antimatter as the trigger—"
"I know how it works, Zaria. I mean, how did you build it? Karen, did you help her with this?"
"Don't look at me!"
"And she's not a nuke," Zaria corrected. "Not really—not in the classic sense. Not like those dirty old things. None of that nasty fallout."
"She's quite proud of that fact," Karen said.
"I know she's small," Zaria added. "She's only point-nine-seven kilotons, but she'll get your attention."
Sigrid turned the thing over in her hands, examining it. "Rather…"
Sigrid noticed a small yellow switch welded to the side.
"That's the detonator," Zaria said. "Flip that and there's no turning her off. Don't worry. You'll have forty-two minutes to get clear."
Gingerly, Sigrid handed her back the nuke. "Well, make sure she's properly stored."
"Yes, Mistress."
Mistress. Sigrid still couldn't get used to the young ones calling her that.
With the 'nuke' proudly cradled to her chest, Zaria hurried off to give it to the ground crew as they worked to secure the last of the munitions in the hold.
"Thanks," Karen said. "You made her day."
"Maybe we should bring her along?" Suko said.
"I certainly could have used her on Konoe Station. And you, Karen. I could still use you at communications."
Karen held up her hands. "I'm flattered, but my duties are here. Lady Hitomi keeps my itinerary quite full. Besides…" Karen put a hand to her side—at the very spot where she'd been shot on Scorpii. The wound had very nearly taken her life. "I don't think I'm, ah, equipped for this kind of mission."
Sigrid hugged her close. "I'll miss you. It won't be the same without you."
"Hey!" Suko said, her arms held out. "You're not exactly going alone, you know. I am going with you, or had you forgotten?"
"Never," Sigrid said, pulling Suko into the group hug. "I'm eternally grateful."
Behind them, the ground crew sealed the last of the compartments and unhooked the generators. It was time to go. With one final hug goodbye, Karen stepped back, waving to them as they made their way inside. Suko was first up the ladder, with Sigrid following close behind. The crack Sigrid made about Suko's backside above her was obvious and crude, but it elicited a satisfying giggle and then a squeal when Sigrid gave her a pinch.
Inside, the small scout vessel was crowded with crew busy making their final preparations. The normal crew compliment of twelve had been increased to seventeen, and they had to squeeze by several work teams as they made their way to the bridge. The Morrigan bristled with activity and e
nergy, as if she knew she had a purpose again. It was infectious and filled Sigrid with excitement, and she was eager to be on their way.
It was going to be different this time. She knew it.
Selene was on the bridge with Leta, going over the last of the checklists.
Trudy was there as well. Bent over the communications console, Trudy tended to the last of her equipment as she added her own monitoring and decryption gear to the Morrigan's. By the looks of things, the piles of electronics strewn about, she wasn't quite done.
"Everything all right, Trudy?"
Trudy spun around to face Sigrid, banging her head on the bottom of the console as she did so, wincing and rubbing her head with her hand.
And then Sigrid saw… Her head! Her hairless head! Sigrid gasped. "Trudy, your hair!" Trudy's long, beautiful, jet-black hair was gone, shaved within a millimeter of her skull. All that remained were the fringes, the long bangs at the front, and these had been dyed a brilliant red.
Trudy shifted uneasily, rubbing the stubble on her head. "Um… Right, about that…"
"It's her own fault," Leta said. "I told her to be careful handling the incendiaries. She singed the whole thing clean off."
"You burned yourself? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Really! Nothing that won't grow back, right?" Trudy twirled the long red fringes in her fingers. "Besides, I think I kind of like it."
Sigrid ran a hand down her face. "Please, Trudy. You have to be more careful. I can't afford to lose you. At least, not yet. We haven't even left the planet."
"Speaking of which," Selene said, handing Sigrid her report. "Crew says we're loaded and fueled. All systems go. We're ready for departure."
"Thank you, Selene."
Sigrid allowed herself one last look out the forward view port. She saw her island home, the new Academy, the paint still fresh on its wooden walls, the new paths barely walked on. What the place would look like when she returned, she could only guess.
"Take us up, Selene. Take us to Bellatrix."
CHAPTER TEN
Customs & Immigration
October 1, 2348
The deck plates shifted beneath Sigrid's feet, signaling the completion of the warp jump. Everyone had crowded into the cramped cockpit, eager to get their first glimpse of Bellatrix. Sigrid saw the familiar flash of white, fading quickly as the space before them grew black, and the stars became visible again.