The Last Load

by Bartholomew Thockmorton

  “You’re fired!” Cranston shouted. Then he called in his secretary and did the same to her. Then her assistant.

  Last, he issued an edict to find McNally—at all costs, or die. Cranston’s network boiled with activity.

  Edward Cranston doubted he would ever again know happiness. Why did this happen when he was so close to completing his greatest dream? Soon. Yes soon, nothing would resist his power. He would rule space, and his enemies on Mars would suffer.

  CHAPTER EIGHT: BAGGING THE LEVIATHAN

  Their visit lasted five days. McNally had assured Hinderken and Louiston repeatedly that the Starduster was in no danger. The ship’s sensors were at maximum and would sound an alert should anything occur. He reminded them the ship was no farther than the pantry door.

  The McNally farmhouse was large and full of guest space. The family used four bedrooms, but there were six others. Louiston’s careful inspection revealed that visitors, often several, had occupied the rooms during the nights. To all, McNally extended the warmest hospitality.

  Lieutenant Hinderken was given a room next-door to Randal Junior. Claire and Louiston chose quarters at the other end of the long hall, their doorways opposite each other. The rooms were large, containing bed, desk and entertainment center. Each contained its own bathroom.

  Each morning, Susan provided clean towels. On the second day, she conceded the obvious and delivered two sets to Claire’s room. Louiston and Claire spent each day together. Often, they were seen walking in the fields, or followed the wooded path leading down to the quiet, slow-moving river.

  McNally and Hinderken used the warp-door often. They were never gone less than an hour, once for the entire morning. But each evening all gathered for dinner and discussed the day’s activities. It was at this meal on the fourth evening that McNally announced their departure was to be the following day.

  ***

  Upon returning to McNally’s ship, Hinderken bid farewell to the others and departed aboard the Patrol craft. Once clear of the Starduster, the attack craft vanished as the warp-drive engaged.

  Louiston assisted McNally in boosting the Starduster’s idling engines. An hour later, tractor and load moved on the coordinates provided by Commander Stevens. McNally stayed busy programming tactical computers. Claire and Doc talked quietly in the background.

  McNally had not shared all details concerning plans for the Leviathan. Louiston could not imagine how McNally or the Navy could hope to capture a heavily armed, well-defended vessel that was supposed to measure over fifty-kilometers in diameter.

  “What about the weapons systems, McNally? The Leviathan must have gigantic conversion generators! They’ll probably draw a bead on us while we’re still a hundred-kilometers out!”

  “You could be right…but why would we do something dumb like getting too close, when we can stand back and throw rocks? Ever hot-shot a load, Doc?”

  Louiston was surprised. “I thought you wanted to use that ship! With a load this size, there won’t be anything left!”

  “That’s true! We both realize that. So will the thousands of people aboard Cranston’s monster ship! I’m counting on them immediately grasping the seriousness of the situation!”

  Claire did not understand what they were talking about or why Doc was so disturbed. “Randal, Doc, what’s a ‘hot-shot?’ Something to do with our load?”

  McNally turned to Claire. “Oh yes indeed, Miss Murphy! In the early years of mining in the Oort cloud, the processing plants couldn’t digest an entire mountain, so reduction centers, located in space near the plants, broke the Oort balls into small, easily handled chunks—the size of your average city block.

  “These pieces were then hauled to the plants by small transfer-tractors. They would slowly guide the rock towards the gigantic material intakes leading to the reaction chambers, then cut their tractor beam. The cargo would drift onward to its destination.”

  Louiston joined the explanation. “Naturally competition involving speed and distance when releasing the loads were common, though strictly forbidden. Accidents occurred; an entire plant was lost once! Now can you guess what McNally plans?”

  Claire tried to picture the result of a high-speed collision between a colony sized ship and a large body like the one towed behind their tractor. Imagination failed her.

  “You must understand,” said McNally, speaking slowly to make his point. “The only way to execute a complete capture is to present the crew with a situation they can’t win—something they cannot possibly defend against! Any better ideas?”

  ***

  The Starduster warped to within two light-minutes of the Leviathan. The engines were far from maximum power, but one-tenth light-speed was still a respectable glide that put impact at under twenty minutes. The Starduster would be detected immediately and the alarms sounded when they saw his maneuvers.

  Satisfied with the ship’s course and speed, McNally disengaged the tractor beam while banking and accelerating his ship. Four thousand-meters to starboard, the load slid past, continuing towards its target.

  In the control room, Louiston turned the view screen to its highest resolution. The mammoth vessel hung in space looking invincible and mighty. Clouds of vapor exhausted from thousands of vents—a sure sign of extensive workings beneath the crust. Lights, large and small, dotted the asteroid, illuminating the structures that sprawled across its surface. The three stared at the image in awe. Despite Cranston’s intentions, this accomplishment was indeed worthy of wonder.

  McNally explained the Leviathan could defend the attack from half the Inner-system Navy, but the billions of tons of approaching rock would prove unstoppable. When it came, the impact explosion joined by the energy released from the destruction of a hundred fusion reactors promised the birth of a new star—bright, but short-lived.

  There was no surprise when the evacuation began less than five minutes later. Louiston guessed it would be close—with an estimated compliment of twenty thousand, many of the crew would still be aboard when McNally’s load struck.

  The fleeing ships were visible as they launched from hundreds of hangars. Cargo freighters and messenger ships, Sector Patrol vessels and maintenance crafts climbed away, leaving the doomed Leviathan to its fate. After fifteen minutes, vessels still continued to depart.

  When the ships cleared the Leviathan, they turned towards the nearest outpost, thirty hours distant. With impact only moments away, three Naval squadrons, guided by Lieutenant Hinderken, exited warp in the path of the fleeing ships. There was little resistance as the warships ordered all to disengage their engines.

  Claire held her breath as they watched the load streak towards the Leviathan. Unexpectedly, McNally’s trick was revealed. Ten thousand-meters from its target, the asteroid disappeared—swallowed by a warp-hole twenty kilometers wide.

  Louiston howled in laughter as McNally slumped in his chair, exhaling loudly. Claire, elated and amazed with their success, cheered.

  The celebration soon ended and McNally changed course, away from the Leviathan. He gazed at the stars for several long moments before turning to Louiston and Claire. “All that’s left is Cranston. We might as well put him out of his misery. Right about now, he’s realizing he never had a chance.”

  CHAPTER NINE: TIDY ENDINGS

  The Starduster’s speed slowed to a lazy drift. As McNally briefed them, Louiston and Claire watched the Leviathan in the rear scanners. The Navy’s arrival at such short range had eliminated any chance of escape. Monitoring the active communication channels, they listened while the military assault force boarded the giant vessel and manned the control centers.

  Cranston’s masterpiece now belonged to the United Inner-system Navy…and The Company. All prisoners would be processed and returned to their homes, or jail. Others might even be contracted to crew the colossal colony ship, under new management.

  McNally’s instructions went on for hours. Claire wasn’t happy with all of them, but she realized McNally’s greatest concern
was their safety.

  “Just because my job looks dangerous doesn’t mean it is,” exclaimed McNally, pacing as he lectured. “Everything you two have seen was carefully planned. Even when Hinderken fired on me, I was in no real danger—my force shield absorbed most of the energy. I only go into these situations because the technology protects me.

  “The implanted circuits that control my weapons, shields and other devices are powered by three miniature biological conversion generators. That’s something most people don’t even dream exists! Company agents are too valuable to risk foolishly; we use any and all resources available for protection or advantage!”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed you like to take people by surprise,” replied Doc. “Did the Navy block transmissions, or does Cranston know?”

  “I’m counting on it! As if his day hasn’t been bad enough, imagine his reaction when we drop in. Literally! Now go suit-up. Remember what I showed you—it’s not that hard.” This was directed at Louiston, who during McNally’s briefing had jokingly complained that his and Claire’s part in the plan appeared to be the most difficult.

  McNally opened a hidden weapons-locker. Reaching inside, he called over his shoulder. “Let me know when you’re ready! Unless you hear otherwise, we warp in ten!”

  ***

  Edward Cranston stood looking out his office window and seethed with confusion and rage. He struggled to comprehend the prospect that his glorious designs, his plans for power, had been destroyed in the ridiculously short period of an hour. Outside, shuttle cars cruised past the Cranston Corporate Headquarters as children played in the large park across the street. But he saw none of this. His stare, unfocused and distant, centered on his future. After a decade, it was over, and he had not even been aware of the crisis.

  Earlier that morning, he received the items taken from McNally during the Patrol’s raid. The Valiant finally regained power and made rendezvous with a company craft. Technicians tested the force screen and wrist weapons and found them safe to handle.

  The devices now lay atop Cranston’s desk. He had been examining them when the alarming news arrived. Messages from multiple sources all told him the same story—the impending destruction of the Leviathan and the resulting mass evacuation. The final reports, before all transmissions ceased, involved the mysterious appearance of hundreds of Naval warships.

  Somehow he knew Randal McNally was involved—the weapon used against the Leviathan had not been a coincidence. If the Navy was also out here in force, Cranston’s time was indeed short.

  He was about to return to his desk when a seven-hundred-meter long space-tractor miraculously appeared from nowhere, flying low above the park. Landing struts slowly extended. Before they were completely lowered, the craft settled on the ground.

  Cranston stood frozen at the window, his white-knuckled hands trembling and gripping the sill before him. He watched the ship come to rest, its weight causing depressions where the struts pressed into the lawn. The impossible situation did not confuse Cranston—he knew who had come, and what he wanted.

  “McNally! So now you come for me?” He turned towards his desk and communication console. Did the man expect to walk into the building unchallenged? “You’ll find I’m not easy prey!”

  ***

  When the ship landed, Louiston and Claire were already waiting on the loading platform. It lowered them to the ground and Claire took the lead, lumbering towards the Cranston building, Louiston following unhurriedly. They wanted to give the citizens plenty of time to evacuate the park before gunplay began. The armor suits they wore stood four meters tall, and according to McNally, weighed over ten tons each. Claire had commented it felt more like riding than wearing.

  Powerful motors and gyroscopes make walking possible. The steel plating and force-shields made the wearer indestructible to anything less than a thermonuclear blast. McNally had sworn the suits were the most secure place in the sector—each boasting sufficient armament to destroy most of the Madeira Colony. Their role was to draw as many of the defense forces their way as possible. Let Cranston Security waste its ammunition on decoys.

  The first squad of armed guards appeared before Claire reached the park’s edge. She could hear the weapons only because the exterior microphones were on. Although her shield absorbed most of the beams and projectiles, an occasional wild shot or ricochet would whistle astray. As planned, the citizens using the park had quickly fled for shelter.

  “Look down the road,” said Louiston over the suit radio. “The colony police want to play too!” Claire turned to see approaching troop vehicles.

  “Doesn’t matter,” she replied. “If Randal is right, and he has been so far, our biggest worry is falling asleep from boredom! These things almost run themselves!”

  Louiston agreed as he continued forward, returning fire with rapid-pulse stun-beams while also launching a barrage of miniature missiles at the building before them.

  Armored blast doors lowered to cover the main entrance when they drew near. Claire keyed for additional computer assistance and joined Louiston, their suits’ mechanical arms grasping the barriers and pushing inward. With her assistance the doors soon shattered, utterly destroyed before the combined might of the lumbering juggernauts. Claire imagined the outside commotion to be deafening. Together they moved through the building, spewing fire and wreaking havoc, their shields gleaming with absorbed energy.

  Claire laughed despite the maelstrom surrounding her. She now understood Susan’s comment when asked if she ever worried about McNally and his job. She replied she sometimes thought The Company dreamed up new toys just so Randal could use them in the field. But he never used anything that didn’t perform well, nor did he place the lives of others at risk.

  ***

  By the time the ship landed on autopilot, McNally had already cleared the park and was cautiously entering a side door to Cranston’s building. He dropped from the low flying Starduster during the final approach, as the ship briefly passed behind a group of trees.

  Besides startling a mother and her small child as they watched the ship land, McNally had reached the headquarters without attracting unwanted attention. There were people inside, but McNally was dressed in their manner, and he walked with a purpose. Few here knew of his existence, and none had ever seen him.

  He decided against risking the confines of an elevator and started up the first stairway he encountered. This proved tricky as employees were using the stairs to hurriedly exit the floors above. At the second flight, McNally paused and listened to the first sporadic bursts of weapons fire. He smiled to himself as he continued upward—Louiston and Claire would bring every security officer and Patrol soldier in the colony to full alert. And all Claire and Louiston had to do was stand there and look menacing.

  They would have to remain in their suits until the Navy arrived, of course. Otherwise someone would probably lynch them. When they tore down the main entrance blast doors, the foundations shook and plaster flakes rained down from the ceiling.

  McNally reached the end of the stairs and quietly slipped into the top floor offices. The few remaining people paid no attention to him as he walked down the hall, pausing outside the main chambers. He passed through the secretary’s office and found Cranston sitting behind his desk.

  He looked tired, barely glancing up as McNally entered. “I was going to use these,” he gestured to McNally’s devices on the desk. “When the fighting started, it occurred to me. Why bother? There’s nothing left…

  “The Company finally beat me—my wife always said you would. First the Leviathan, then my company! Nothing of my accomplishments will remain!” Cranston removed his hands from beneath the desk. In one, he held a pistol.

  “No, you’re wrong,” said McNally, stepping further into the office. “Claire will take control, the corporation will do fine!”

  “Ah well, at least it stays in the family,” he chuckled sadly.

  McNally watched the defeated man closely. “The Leviathan wasn�
�t destroyed, as you believe. The asteroid was only a ruse to evacuate the vessel!”

  Cranston looked up in surprise and slowly smiled in earnest. “Thank you, I should have realized.”

  “You should also know the ship will be used as the flagship transport to colonize the stars! In years to come, the Leviathan may very well be remembered as mankind’s greatest achievement!”

  “Then some good will come from it in spite of me.” Cranston sat in silence for long moments. He at last lifted his head and again looked at McNally. “They should never have done away with the death penalty, you know…as ancient and barbaric as it was! Of course, a life sentence on a Martian penal colony is completely beyond consideration, as you can imagine. You understand don’t you?”

  McNally nodded and left Cranston’s office. He waited outside until the shot sounded, then re-entered to examine the body. There were cases where people had been known to miss.

  ***

  With the exception of the building’s main entrance, most of the damage had been minor and easily repaired. McNally and a dozen Naval officers occupied several of the larger offices while they helped Claire assume control of the company. The employee consensus was one of puzzled surprise and great relief when Miss Murphy announced her stepfather’s sudden, unexpected retirement.

  Three days after the one-ship invasion, Claire and Louiston again visited the McNally farm. The mood was carefree as they enjoyed dinner while discussing what was to come.

  Later in the evening, they relaxed on the porch. The summer night was alive with sound. Insects buzzed at the screens while night birds called in exotic song. Occasionally, some distant unidentified animal would voice a cry or primal howl. Claire and Susan sat listening and intermittently commenting on this or that while Randal and Louiston discussed nothing of importance.

  McNally risked the mood by turning serious. “Come on, Doc! You’re busting up a good team! Are you sure you won’t come work for The Company?”