After the raids, the Burghs had played up the theft of the ships and supplies to ensure all fingers pointed at the pirates and not at the pirates’ Burgh helpers whose assistance had been critical to the raid’s success. Hawkins had no problem with that as he and his crews had been blamed for everything that went wrong in the Badlands for years. Sometimes it actually was their fault. A second reason Hawkins didn’t care was the focus on the thief of the Burgh warships hid the fact another ship was stolen along with the Burgh ships. The Burghs didn’t care about that ship because it was a Goth craft, and the Burghs were happy the pirates got it. Goths would not announce the news because it was a special ship and publicizing its loss would be an embarrassment of the first order to them. The ship was a spy ship and officially did not exist. The ship had secretly carried Goth negotiators and commandos to the base to ensure the naval personnel there conformed to the new order. Spy ships were small, fast, elusive, and dangerous. They were expensive to build and had limited use. The expense was largely due to the one characteristic all true spy ships possessed. They had the ability to go subspace. The expense of putting that technology aboard such a small ship solely for spy purposes made the cost prohibitive for all but the most committed navies. But once such ships were built, they could go anywhere and were extremely difficult to find, track, or destroy. Since the three major Empires and many regional powers could not come up with a military solution to them, they came up with a political answer. Through official agreements and treaties, spy ships were outlawed throughout the universe. Spy ship crews caught in foreign space were not subject to the rules governing prisoners of war and were to be treated as outlaws. A spy ship intrusion into another power’s territory was considered an act of war. Of course, the three Empires still maintained spy ships but never officially acknowledged the fact and were very circumspect about their use. If a navy lost a spy ship due to maintenance malfunction, action by a foreign power, or the vessel simply disappeared, nobody in the government or military would even acknowledge the ship’s existence. These ships were kept in top-secret space docks in remote sections of bases or in hangars on planet surface bases. They only ventured out on specific missions. The fact one such ship had appeared at the Burgh naval base had caused Hawkins to move up his raid by one day to take the vessel. Of course, the six Burgh warships taken by the pirates had proven invaluable on a daily basis to Flot 1, but the spy ship had been a rare prize indeed. After taking it, Raferty had the ship moved to one of the pirate’s safe havens in the Badlands. At this hideaway, known as the Fort, the ship sat for several weeks as the Goths searched for it and Hawkins considered its future mission and finding a crew. Eventually, the Goths moved onto other things and Hawkins found a crew and mission for the new ship.
The defunct Edinburgh navy had not only provided the pirates with the six ships, but they became a prime source for Hawkins to crew his new ships. A chance for money, revenge, and to employ their skills caused many disenfranchised men and women to flock to the new pirate vessels. Hawkins and his flotilla blended these new people with the cream of their old crews and quickly embarked on a series of raids on Goth assets within the Edinburgh System to cement his crew together. The resulting money and destruction to a hated enemy had ensured the loyalty of these new crewmembers.
The pirates also had an active intelligence system in place in the Edinburgh System. When the situation became too hot in the Badlands, Hawkins’ ships could hide in the Edinburgh System in relative peace and safety. To maintain this haven and the goodwill of the people there, Hawkins expressly forbade any future raiding within that system without his permission. He also insisted on much of the prize money being spent in Edinburgh shops, shipyards, bars, and whorehouses. The crews were only too happy to oblige, and several business relationships quickly bloomed. The pirates traded raw resources and goods found only in the Badlands to Edinburgh merchants for the latest munitions and shipboard systems. The Goths and their puppet government tried to halt this with no success. Indeed, several members of the government actively kept the pirates provided with intelligence on the Goths and their commercial interests.
Flotilla One had gotten so comfortable in the Edinburgh system that each squadron had placed their “house” within the system. A pirate’s house was actually a small base placed in a very remote location. Supplies and maintenance equipment not kept aboard ship were stored here. Most importantly, the crew’s women and children were kept in the house in comparative safety. If a house was kept in one place long enough, gardens were started, school schedules set up, and the atmosphere of a small town soon pervaded. Since Pirate Flotilla One built their houses on the squadron level, they had larger houses than most pirate ships. All pirates kept the locations of their houses absolutely secret. If a location became known, the house was to be left alone, even if it was the house of your most vile enemy. Women and children were never on the target list, at least not other pirates’ women and children. Hitting another’s house would bring isolation within the pirate community to be followed by a relentless pursuit and certain death.
Recently, Squadron Charlie under Shane Delacruz had moved its house from the Edinburgh system back into the Badlands to better support their raiding deep into the region. Hawkins did not know the location yet but would learn it soon enough. Each squadron commander knew the location of all three houses in case one squadron had to support another’s house for evacuation or defensive purposes. Each captain picked a few others within his squadron to tell the locations, but other than this small cadre, nobody knew the location of all three houses.
Predator was Hawkins’ second ship as a pirate captain. Nearly new when he liberated it, it was maintained in excellent condition by his pirate crew who knew this ship was the only thing they could count on in battle. Much of the money earned in the Edinburgh raids went to modifying the ship. Escape pods were converted into storage to carry extra rations, water, and ammunition. Original crew complement had been one hundred thirty, but the pirates manned at half that level so crew quarters were converted into missile magazines and loaders. Two extra missile launchers and magazines were installed amidships on each side. The main gun battery of four 125 mm guns in two turrets was modified to fire at a higher rate if needed and take nova shells. These shells would literally melt the barrels after a dozen rounds were expended at a high rate, but if the tactical situation called for this desperate measure, it was preferable to have to replace guns barrels rather than have a lost ship. The four 75 mm guns mounted two to each side of the hull were modified the same way. Close in laser weapons were added for use when boarding or repelling nearby craft. The lasers could cut small holes in unarmored portions of a nearby ship and were excellent against stationary targets such as moored freighters or slowly orbiting defenses. The newest comm gear, navigation equipment, and electronic warfare systems were mandatory additions. The two engines were modified to provide an extra burst of speed for one hour. Again, this would shorten engine life but could save the ship. A new chameleon paint job that reflected the ship’s background was the final change. They had even painted the ship’s name and a running cheetah across the upper hull forward of the bridge along with the ability to blur it out when necessary. Predator was a destroyer in size but could take on a light cruiser at even odds and outrun any warship in the Badlands.
The three Edinburgh corvettes taken by Hawkins became Rebel, Rogue, and Renegade. Together with Predator and the support ship Dragon, these five ships composed Alpha Squadron of Pirate Flotilla One. The other two Clan class destroyers became Nemesis captained by Killian O’Hare and Vindictive, helmed by Shane Delacruz. Bravo Squadron under O’Hare and Charlie Squadron under Delacruz were identical in structure to Alpha Squadron with three older dissimilar corvettes and one support ship each. These ships raided independently, but a small percentage of all prize monies went to the Flotilla. The success and protection in numbers enjoyed by the Flotilla ensured there was always a number of ships and crews ready to ally themselves wit
h Hawkins. He did not encourage the taking of new recruits nor new ships, but the knowledge there were other ships and pirates wanting to join the Flotilla kept the current Flotilla ships on the straight and narrow. Making Rafe Hawkins mad once too often could result in expulsion from “Flot 1” or worse.
Chapter 6
After two hours, Captain Mallory went to the officer’s wardroom to bid her guests a fond farewell. She had thought of detaining them until just before the battle. But not knowing when the battle would actually start, and the danger she could be placing them in, made that decision risky at best. She did impress on them the need to keep the current situation to themselves. She escorted her guests to the shuttle bay. During the trip, Sky ensured she walked next to Commissioner Putinsky.
“I’ve a question for you, Commissioner.”
Putinsky inclined her head toward Mallory as they continued to walk side by side.
“I’ve engaged Raferty Hawkins to capture the small trader which has been spying on us and sending reports to the OrCons. He is charging forty thousand credits for the job. I was wondering if I was being taken advantage of.”
Putinsky smiled at her. “A bit on the expensive side but not totally outrageous.”
Sky smiled back. “That’s what Hawkins said when I confessed I had no idea as to what the fee should be.”
“I told you he could be trusted,” Putinsky said with a laugh. Then she grew serious. “He can be a valuable ally. If nothing else, I think you can work together for the short term to achieve common goals. But if you cross him, ensure you kill him in the process. He won’t ever forgive the transgression. He believes in revenge and there is no time limit on getting payback. You would always have a target on you.” She then added, “He uses Killian O’Hare for that task and she thrives on it. There are many people in the Badlands who damn near have a heart attack whenever her name is mentioned.”
The party arrived at the shuttle hangar hatch. Sky stopped there and shook hands with each guest as they continued through the hatch to their shuttle.
After seeing them off, Sky returned to the war room. Her opinion of Raferty Hawkins was steadily rising. He was well informed but didn’t take advantage of his position. If her squadron survived and continued to patrol the Badlands, she would owe a debt to the pirate leader. She suspected Captain Hawkins would hold that chip until he could play it for maximum advantage. Commissioner Putinsky was correct; this rogue leader did look at the long-term picture in his planning.
Captain Mallory sat at the head of the table and listened to the newly minted plan to meet the OrCon threat. She had outlined her intentions and her staff had filled in the details. The staff now briefed Sky on the finished product. Final adjustments were made and the battle plan with all contingencies and withdrawal routes were sent to all ship captains. The staff now broke up to carry out their responsibilities. Sky moved through the forward hatch connecting the briefing room with CIC. She settled into the command seat and viewed the activity about her. Several minutes passed.
“Status?” she asked her Ops officer.
“We got a confirmation from all ships on receipt of the plan,” replied Commander Lisa Cassidy. “Nobody will make any overt moves as long as Lodus is monitoring us, but every ship is quietly preparing.”
“Very well,” Sky formally replied. “How about our own Mac? Are we getting after it?”
“We’re preparing to lay out mines and mix in a couple of noise decoys on the planet side of the field to emit engine noises so the OrCons will have something to listen to as they close in on us. Guns and missiles say they will be ready. Nav has laid in the battle formation on the computer. We’ll be ready to move on command. We’re preparing a message to go out to the home command updating the situation.”
Sky nodded. She was satisfied everything was being done that could be done as long as Lodus was spying on them. It was up to the pirates now to remove that obstacle. Sky sat in her CIC command seat and waited.
Chapter 7
The woman shifted in her seat at Shamrock’s pilot console as she monitored Lodus and her ship’s rate of closure on it. She displayed the casual attitude of someone watching an entertainment video, not someone moving to a battle in space. She rechecked the time and then the closure rate. Satisfied, she pivoted her seat and looked aft at the far end of the compartment. Five crewmembers were checking weapons, combat space suits, lifelines, and other equipment needed for the upcoming assault. Two others were checking and rechecking the laser weapon to be used to disable Lodus. The woman watched with only mild interest, content to let her people go about their preparations without her interference. She never appreciated it when someone looked over her shoulder and started pointing out the obvious so she did not do it to others. Her practiced eye told her all was proceeding as planned. She returned to her screens and waited.
Chapter 8
The shuttle carrying the four members of the Mackenzie dinner party landed as scheduled at the pad atop the government building in Aquaban. The four passengers disembarked.
“Please join me for a drink in my office,” Deputy Chancellor Attus offered.
“No, thank you, sir,” Angus Colandra replied immediately and made to depart the group as they moved off the pad to the elevator.
Attus reached out and calmly gripped his arm. “Please join us.” He restated his invitation with firmness and then casually eased Colandra back into the group.
“Surely we all have things to do,” stated Colandra, slightly pleading as he looked to his companions for support.
“Nonsense,” Attus said cheerfully but sternly as he steered the group to the elevator for the trip to his office.
The quick acquiescence of the Commissioner Putinsky and David Thorton told Colandra there would be no support from them. Indeed, they may have been in on this obvious maneuver to keep the group together and away from communications. He resigned himself to joining the group for drinks and waiting for the coming action.
Chapter 9
Hours ticked by. Captain Skyler Mallory’s squadron completed all their covert preparations and waited for the taking of the Lodus before embarking on obvious maneuvers in readying their squadron for the OrCon attack. As Sky relaxed in her command chair amid the bustle of the CIC, she gave the appearance of relaxing in her favorite chair at home. She received updates, gave detailed directions, and took an interest in all preparations. She projected concern but not great worry. The crew knew what they were up against and expected their captain to be concerned but not too shaken. Sky hoped the recent unit training done while on this Badlands tour would help her ships function as a single entity vice a group of individual ships. This was only a fleeting thought. What was done could not be changed, and she was wise enough to focus on the present and the immediate future. She had not even considered what was happening in the home systems of the Aurora Empire. She could not affect those events and had compartmentalized her concern for family, friends, and colleagues. There would be time for that afterward. Hopefully, there would be a time afterward.
Shamrock’s crew completed their preparations to assault Lodus. Under the guise of testing and recalibrating their thrusters, the ship would continually close on Lodus. After Lodus had made its last broadcast to the OrCons prior to them going subspace, Shamrock’s laser weapon would take out the comm array and then hit the engines. Shamrock would close the last remaining distance to put magnetic grappling hooks onto Lodus’ hull. Four pirates would cross on the lines as Shamrock would talk to the crew of Lodus via the emergency radio all ships carried. These radios ran on batteries. They were intended for use by a ship in extreme circumstances to communicate with nearby vessels to coordinate assistance or rescue. The radios were limited in range due to their low power. All was ready as the Shamrock waited for Lodus to send her final message.
On Predator, Raferty Hawkins watched Shamrock close on Lodus and, despite Baby Doll’s warning, drank a second beer.
“We ready to move on command?” ask
ed Hawkins of his bridge crew.
“Helm, aye.”
“Nav, aye.”
“Comm, aye.”
“Sensors, aye.”
The responses came from the people manning those stations on the bridge. Rafe turned to Baby Doll manning the operations station. Updates from throughout the ship would come to her.
“Engineering reports aye, Captain.”
“Is that Ace or Joker?”
“Who the hell knows,” replied Baby Doll with a resigned shake of her head.
“Forgive me. I have no idea why I even asked that,” Rafe answered in the same tone.
Joker and Ace were identical twins who served in the single billet of chief engineer. They ran a perfect engineering department with the two engines always in superb running order, back up thrusters always on line, all maintenance systems good to go, and the engineering division was well trained and disciplined in their work. The only problem was nobody could tell the two men apart. They would never identify themselves and if anyone guessed at the identification of one of them, that twin would instantly agree with the guess regardless of which name was put forth. At first Rafe was not happy with the situation as a moment of confusion in battle could get his ship destroyed, but both twins responded to either name and their work was superior, so he decided to live with it. In the subsequent engagements his ship had fought, he had no cause to regret the decision.
Allies of Convenience: Pirates of the Badlands Series Book 1 Page 4