by Saxon Andrew
Carl began querying his computer and looked up, “An hour and forty-five minutes, Sir. But we can catch them in less than an hour at full speed.”
“I’d rather keep our top speed a secret much more than adding a layer to my cover. The pirates that examine this will determine that the freighter was too close to its destination to be taken.”
Gold thought about it and twisted his head to the left, “How fast were you traveling when you passed the pirates?”
Leo looked at Carl and he answered, “About one third speed.”
Everyone looked at Barney who raised his shoulders, “The closing speed was so high that I feared we’d be moving too fast to hit them if I used more speed.”
Gold clacked, “Your weapons will perform at maximum speed.”
Leo smiled, “One of the blasters missed. Moving at a higher speed may have caused the others to miss their target as well.”
Gold looked at him in silence for a moment and then said as he turned, “I need to investigate how that happened. The blasters are designed to lock on a target and hit it traveling at maximum speed.”
He walked off the bridge and Embree shrugged, “He doesn’t appear to value life very much, Sir.”
“He does; just not other species.”
“That’s what I said, Sir.”
Leo looked at Embree and knew he needed to have a discussion with Gold. That would come later.
• • •
Two days passed and Leonidas went to Gold’s quarters and knocked on the portal. The speaker on the wall announced, “Enter.”
Leonidas went in and saw the Insectoid staring at the display on his panel, “Do you have a moment?”
“Yes, sit down.”
Leonidas went to what looked like a chair and sat on its edge, “I want to discuss something with you and I’m concerned that you might not understand what I’m saying.”
Gold stared at him and then twisted his head, “Go ahead.”
“You don’t seem concerned about me using my ship to kill innocent humans.”
“I’m not.”
“I know that; your behavior has made that clear. The problem is that your species has never had an instance of having to attack others from your worlds.”
“Why is that a problem?”
“Just consider this. What if, and I do hope you understand that this is only for conjecture, your species spreads out in the galaxy and some of you become competitive with each other’s worlds. Would you attack a commercial vessel from another planet your species inhabits?”
“Of course not; we’d never compete with each other.”
“Never is not a good word to use. But if you did, would you do it?” Gold stared at him and Leonidas quickly said, “Especially if you didn’t need to do it to protect yourself.”
“What are you saying?”
“There were about three hundred humans on that freighter that have families that they’re supporting. They did nothing to us and you appear to think their lives count for nothing except to provide a better cover story for us. Would you feel differently if just one of your species was on board that ship? And don’t say that couldn’t happen, I know you have some of your species that conduct business in the Unity.” Gold stared at him in silence and Leonidas said, “All I’m asking you to do is just look at each ship we’re going to destroy as if one of your species is on board and then decide if it’s really necessary to do it.”
“Does that include warships attacking us?”
“No, it does not. But you’ve suggested we attack commercial vessels several times and would you have done that if one of your own was on board them?”
Gold turned his head and said, “I will do as you request.”
“Thank you and thank you for allowing me to discuss this with you.” Leonidas stood and left the room.
Gold stared at the port and took his communicator out of his belt pouch. He pressed a button and said, “I need to speak with you.” He put it down on his console and went back to staring at his panel’s display.
An hour later, the communicator vibrated and he saw Gem on it, “I’m going to send you a recording of a conversation I just had with the Human commanding this vessel.”
“Send it.” Gold waited and a few minutes later heard Gem say, “What is your issue?”
“I am questioning the bravery of Leonidas and whether or not he is fit to command this ship.”
“I am going to send you some recordings of his prior actions and I want you to contact me after you’ve viewed them,” Gem replied.
Gold saw a large file appear on his communicator and he downloaded it to his console. He started viewing the recordings showing Leonidas in numerous battles. It took five hours to view them all and at the end, he pressed his communicator. When Gem’s face appeared, Gold said, “I don’t understand. His bravery is beyond question but his actions don’t match up with what I just observed.”
“That’s because you have been infected by those that rule the Unity. Look at Leonidas as one that values the members of his species very much as we do.”
“But most humans don’t.”
“I don’t know if that’s entirely accurate. The vast majority of humans are not in positions calling for war. They operate commercial vessels, businesses, and numerous other occupations not requiring them to attack others.”
“But those that are in those positions are brutal!” Gold retorted.
“They’re trying to keep their positions of power.” Gem paused and then continued, “Humans evolved on a planet where they had to fight the ecology as well at other humans for limited resources. Their evolution taught them to fight to survive. Unlike our species that evolved from one place and we always worked together to survive, humans did not. They without doubt represent the biggest danger to us and we will have to be careful that we don’t turn their full attention on us.”
Gold clacked, “We could destroy them all!”
“We only occupy a few planets. Humans are scattered around the universe in literally billions of places. Are you so certain that our technology is better than all the other galaxies in the universe?” Gold stared at him and Gem said, “I’ve uncovered a metal used by humans that can withstand our most powerful blaster beams.”
“What?”
“I’ll let you examine it next time I see you but I’ve already analyzed it and it is what I say it is. However, you didn’t answer his question.”
“What question is that?”
“If one of our species was on that freighter, would you have still called for its destruction?”
Gold stared at Gem and finally said, “No, I guess I wouldn’t.”
“Is that because you aren’t brave?”
“NO!”
“Then how can you stand there and tell him to do what you wouldn’t?”
The communicator went dark and Gold stared at it for a long time.
• • •
The months passed quickly and one morning early Leonidas called Gold to the bridge. He arrived and Leonidas said, “Will you contact Gem and determine where we should meet? We need to discuss the Romanovs stopping Victoria’s ship before she comes back.”
“I think it might be a good idea to meet her wherever she is at the moment,” Gold responded.
Leo thought about the suggestion and then nodded, “You’re right. See if he can give you some coordinates where we can meet them.”
Gold took his communicator out of his pouch and began speaking in clicks, clacks, and humming sounds. After a few minutes, he pressed a button on his communicator and turned to Leonidas, “I’ve sent you the route to a planet that goes by the name Jester. I’ve included the filaments we need to take to get there as quickly as possible.”
Leo nodded and sent the data to Barney’s console, “Take us to the planet in the data I’ve just sent you.”
“Yes, Captain.” The Thermopylae turned across the filament it was traveling and headed toward the closest intersection. Leo sat in his cha
ir and thought about Desiree. What was he going to say? He still didn’t have an answer.
• • •
Gem stepped into the training room and saw Desiree and Victoria practicing their striking skills. He clacked and said loudly, “Ladies, we need to head back to Jester.”
They stopped hitting the targets and Desiree asked, “Why is that, Gem?”
“Leonidas is going to meet us there.”
“Why?”
“There appears to be an issue that needs to be discussed by all of us.”
Victoria looked at Gem and turned her head slightly, “What issue is that?”
“Leonidas has discovered that the Romanovs have uncovered that his and your ship were built on Luminus about the time you disappeared from Kellinger. They’ve been looking for your ship since that discovery and we need to decide what we’re going to do about it.”
Desiree’s eyes narrowed, “How long have you known this?”
“Ohhhh…about three months.”
“AND YOU DIDN’T TELL US?!”
“To what end would that have accomplished anything? You have been intensively training and you didn’t need to be distracted by something you couldn’t do anything about.”
“BUT…”
“What could you have done about it?” Gem interrupted.
Desiree stared at Gem and then looked at Victoria, who was also angry, but could only shrug at giving a response. Gem continued, “Both of you have been struggling to master your skills and you did not need a distraction! You are ready now and I’m confident you are fully capable of defending yourselves. This will not be an issue until you have to go back and that hasn’t happened yet.”
Desiree focused and after a moment calmly said, “Do you have any ideas?”
“I’ve been thinking about it but I need to hear what Leonidas thinks before I make any suggestions.”
“When will he be there?”
“He’ll arrive in about five days, Victoria. We should arrive the day before. I would recommend the two of you put your heads together to see if you can come up with any suggestions.”
Desiree pressed the button on the loudspeaker, “Jack.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Set a route back to Jester.”
“Changing course now.”
“You know what happened last time we were there,” Victoria said to Gem.
“Yes, but I think that is not the norm. We’ll be fine and it’s not a bad place to visit,” Gem replied.
Victoria looked at Desiree, “Why don’t we clean up and meet on the bridge to discuss this?”
“Good idea; I’ll see you in an hour.”
• • •
An hour later, they met on the bridge and began discussing what to do about the situation including the bridge crew. After thirty minutes, Jack said, “I don’t see any way we can avoid them. If we go back to our galaxy, they will find us.”
“If they do, we should be able to fight our way out of any confrontation,” Billy said.
Desiree looked at Billy, “We do not want to reveal the power of this ship, Billy, or even that it’s armed unless it’s absolutely unavoidable.”
Billy shook his head, “But the Romanovs have their own personal navy. Their top warships rival any used by the Unity and if we’re seen, they’ll vector in an entire fleet on us.”
Everyone stared at Billy and Victoria sighed, “There appear to only be two choices.”
Desiree turned to her, “And those are…”
“We either don’t go back or we have another ship built.”
Gem clacked loudly, “I can assure you that my mother will not build you another ship. If you choose to build another ship at a different location, it will be far weaker than this one and a lot slower.”
“Then we can’t go back,” Victoria sighed.
Desiree shook her head slowly and then said, “Let’s see what Leonidas has come up with. We need to be close when he goes to Tortuga.” Victoria nodded. She knew the power and number of the Romanov Warships. She thought about it and wondered why her father had not escorted the Starliner with the fleet when it went to Kellinger. Then she realized that he wanted the ship attacked. He didn’t care if she died in the process. Her eyes narrowed and she vowed to make him pay for that decision one day. But it might not be a day in the near future.
• • •
They arrived at Jester and Gem looked at Victoria, “Leonidas is due tomorrow. Do you want to go down to the planet, have a meal, and take a look around before he arrives?”
Victoria looked at Desiree and she nodded. “Let’s plan to go down around dinner time.” Gem nodded and left the bridge. Victoria inhaled and blew out a long breath, “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to be left alone tonight; I don’t want to go dancing.”
Desiree nodded, “I understand. I’m going to change into my Maid Desiree outfit.”
“Are you taking your sword?”
Desiree smiled, “Of course, aren’t you?”
Victoria smiled, “I’d feel naked without it, now. It grows on you.” Desiree laughed and left the bridge.
• • •
They arrived at M’s at seven in the evening and the Maître D smiled, “It’s good to see you again, Lady Victoria. Would you like your usual table?”
Victoria’s straightened up in surprise and she stammered, “Yes…Uhhh…certainly.” The same waitress appeared and led them across the crowed floor.
They took their seats and Victoria looked at Gem with her eyebrows raised, “Victoria, I’m certain they have recognition hardware installed at the entrance. That’s the sign of a first class establishment.”
They sat down and the waiter appeared instantly, “May I take your drink orders?”
They gave it and after a moment they looked around the large room. Victoria nudged Desiree with her elbow, “Isn’t that the same man that was at the bar the last time we were here?”
Gem answered, “Yes, it is.” The three looked across the bar and saw the man talking with a very voluptuous woman that was all over him. They scanned the room and saw numerous patrons were using their communication devices to take pictures of the man.
Victoria turned to Gem, “I thought you said this was not the norm.”
“He doesn’t appear to be under any duress.” Gem watched the man closely and after a few minutes, the man stood up and headed toward the entrance. Gem stood up and moved quickly across the crowded dance floor toward the entrance as well.
“What is he doing?” Desiree asked.
“I don’t know.” Victoria answered.
Gem arrived at the entrance immediately after the man exited and stood inside the front glass as he watched the man head across the street. He went to a tiny ship where he was confronted by an alien. It happened so quickly that Gem was only able to see it due to his enhanced vision. The alien’s head was cut off so fast that the man’s movements went unnoticed by anyone around him. The man saw Gem staring at him from inside the tavern as he boarded the small ship. He left the alien lying on the ground as the small ship lifted above the street. In a moment, he was gone.
Gem stared at the alien’s body until several security guards arrived. He then turned and headed back to the table. He took his seat and Desiree asked, “What was that all about?”
“That man was here so that someone could take a recording of him. Once he was sure that was done, he left.”
Victoria nodded, “I saw that in the pattern.”
“Well, one of those that took his image attempted to stop him from leaving.”
“And?” Desiree asked.
Gem looked at them, “The alien had his head removed by the man faster than any of us could have done it. He was also carrying a Bellingham Sword.” Both women stared at Gem in disbelief. He assured them, “If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it. Somewhere in that man’s past his body underwent some sort of training similar to yours. He had the sword out and back in the scabbard in less than a three tenth
s of a second.”
“That’s not possible!”
“Desiree, I saw it happen.”
“Why do you think he wanted his photo taken?”
“He wants someone to come here looking for him.”
“Should we leave?”
“No. I want to speak to him if he comes back.”
The two women looked at each other and wondered why the man wanted to be found. Their meal arrived and they ate it in silence. After a few minutes, Victoria looked at Desiree, “You know, we’ve visited several galaxies and in none of them are humans hiring themselves out as mercenaries. What prompted you to become one?”
Desiree sighed, “I actually followed a man I was interested in into the Legion. However, he managed to get himself killed in our first battle. But what was done was done and I had to complete my enlistment. When it came time to re-up, I felt comfortable with the people I was fighting with and really didn’t have anything to return to, so, I signed up again.”
“You didn’t have a problem killing other beings?” Gem asked.
Desiree shrugged, “The CO found planets that needed our help in fighting off some pretty vicious organizations. I think he knew if he signed on to a planet on the wrong side of things, he would lose his command. Most of those we killed deserved it.”
“But…” Victoria paused and shook her head, “I just don’t know if I could have killed another being if I didn’t have any skin in the game.”
“When you’ve seen females and young children massacred in horrendous ways, it’s not real hard to find the motivation to prevent more killing. For the most part, we saved more lives than we took. If you wonder why we did it in the first place, you need look no further than Barney and his warriors that were stranded on that planet. They were barely able to survive and that was the situation most of us were in that signed up. After the Legion was disbanded, most of us suffered afterwards.”
Victoria nodded, “I’ve heard that life on Earth is not very good.”
Desiree nodded, “There’s never enough food to go around and the prices are outrageous. Joining the Legion probably saved my life.”
Gem glanced at them as he watched the front door, “Humans have become mercenaries a lot more often than either of you think.”