ARMS War for Eden

by Arseneault, Stephen

  “Now, with a warship down, the Domers are squirming. And guess what? They’re pressing for their own wellhead at the Earther colony, and your government is going to back it.

  “And with that well, that colony will burgeon and surpass the size of Dove within six months. After that the pacies own charter will work against them as every resident gets an equal vote in their government where a simple majority rules. Soon they will be out of office and no longer in control of the planet. But they won’t complain because they’ll be left alone, which is all they really want.”

  The image of Bax leaned forward, close to the camera. “You know, I thought I was going to be releasing the data showing how you and I were involved in gun running and interference with the truce colonies. With the downing of that destroyer that all went away. Now Baxter Rumford is completely in the clear. And when those mines kick in, she will be ultra-wealthy. Ta-ta.”

  The message ended.

  Gandy frowned. “She is just evil.”

  Harris shook his head. “She’s smart. Dumb but smart. She found patsies to pin her doings on while she goes off to become some mining queen. She’s a red menace. And I will snap that twig of a neck next time I see her.”

  Thirty hours passed before the Warlift showed up with a long thin tanker ship following close behind.

  The major was on the comm and smiling. “We did it. And she’s full. Half with regular fuel and half with jump juice. And I got the canisters you requested. When we dock we can turn off the grav system and float them over. They’re full also.”

  Harris nodded. “We can’t thank you enough, Major. We should be good out here for at least three months. Any more news from Eden?”

  The major replied, “Yes. The Earthers are being credited with saving the colony from invasion. They claimed to have a ship in orbit that sent word of the invasion to their military, who in turn sent those destroyers. And if you were wondering, the truce states that a military force can be used to provide aid if it is to be immediately withdrawn after such aid is given.

  “The Earthers are the ones who requested Dom assistance after the downing of their destroyer. Preliminary talks are underway to resolve this crisis, with the initial word being the Earthers will get their colony on Eden back, with water rights.”

  Harris sighed. “So it looks like we delivered Eden into their hands. I can’t say that bodes well for the future. Any repercussions at the Retreat?”

  “None so far. I have a few buddies who are active military who told me the government wants to keep us in the bag should war ever break out again. There’s even word of the captured slugs and stumps being returned with only a hand slap. Supposed to get that decision tomorrow. So far, they seem to be buying the story that we thought the colony had been overrun and the pacies slaughtered seeing as that’s what the news was reporting.”

  Harris half smiled. “Thank you for that news, Major. Let’s hope that happens. And if you go back to Chicago or Domicile, see what information you can find out about Miss Freely.”

  The Warlift moved away through a wormhole. Trish and Gandy Boleman stood staring at Harris Gruberg.

  “What?”

  Trish said, “Exactly. What. As in what do we do now?”

  Harris scratched the back of his neck before looking at the nav display. “Mr. Boleman, you think you can fly that tanker?”

  Gandy nodded. “Should be standard controls. Where we going?”

  “I think we take it to Midelon. And I think we build ourselves a little warehouse there and stock it with as much food as we can. We’re the only ones who can get there, so we’ll make it our hideaway.”

  Trish frowned. “So I’m trapped on a remote planet on an island with my brother and a stump for the rest of my life? Is that where this is going?”

  Harris guided the Bangor next to the tanker, extending the docking tube. “I guess that’s not really fair to you, is it? To either of you. Your names aren’t on any of this, I suppose you could just go home. I can scrub any record of you from the ship’s logs.”

  Gandy shook his head. “Not me. The Kingfisher was registered to me. I paid for it.”

  Harris leaned back in his chair. “There is that. OK, Trish, We can drop you at the Retreat. They can take you back to Domicile from there.”

  Trish sighed. “I’ll just stay. Would rather not be stuck on that planet waiting for a ride. That gravity is crushing.”

  Harris smiled. “Good, then. Get your ass back in the seat and prep us for a jump to Midelon. And Gandy, we’ll hold the wormhole open long enough for you to come through. After that we set down on the surface and start planning out how we survive.”

  ***

  The fuel tanker was parked on the surface of Midelon. Several jumps were made back to the Retreat where building materials were obtained. A ten meter square hut soon contained the food supply, a supply which quickly tripled in size.

  Harris laid back on the grass with his fingers locked behind his head. Farker lay beside him. Gandy poked around the exterior of the boson field structure while Trish sat in the hatch of the Bangor with her feet swinging back and forth.

  “How long we gonna stay here?” Trish asked.

  Harris rolled over on his side to face her. “I think we give it another week. We’ll go back then and check the news. Now that the Earthers have our own government’s backing on Eden, I don’t see where we can stop the titanium mines. I still find the shortsightedness of those in charge astounding.”

  Trish hopped out onto the grass. “We need to be doing something. Otherwise I’ll die of boredom before the week is up.”

  “If we got the parts, would you want to work on that other railgun?”

  “That would at least keep me busy for a day.”

  “What parts do you need?”

  “Just that auto-feeder. The rest of the parts I can fabricate. Might not be a bad idea to have more equipment for a real shop out here. Too bad we can’t get the stuff Tawn bought for Eden.”

  Harris replied, “Who says we can’t? It’s still stored at the Retreat. We can have our friends buy us a hauler, load the equipment and park out at our pick-up point.”

  Trish smiled. “Can we do that now?”

  Harris sat up. “Sure. Not like we’re busy. Gandy! Get over here!”

  ***

  Eight hours later, the shop equipment was sitting in the warehouse. Trish was excited at the prospect of putting it together. A request had been given for an additional auto-feeder to be purchased from Domicile. The news from home was that nothing had changed. The negotiations for Eden, and the fate of the slugs and stumps involved, were yet to be determined.

  Gandy stood beside Harris at he looked at the door to the boson field structure. “What do you think is in there?”

  Harris frowned. “Don’t know. Wouldn’t mind finding out, though. We just have to get past this door.”

  Harris looked down at Farker and then back at the door. “What I don’t understand is how Cletus Dodger got a hold of this dog. There’s no evidence of him having been here.”

  Gandy replied, “I’ve walked about a third of the island. I did see some cave openings on a rocky hill to the south, but nothing that looks man-made.”

  “Well, you up for an adventure? If so, go tell your sister where we’re heading. Maybe there’s something to see out there.”

  A fifteen minute walk had the pair staring up a hillside. A short climb brought them to one of two cave entrances. It was shallow, going back only five meters. The second cave offered a more inviting prospect. After extending back fifteen meters, the cave passage turned to the right. Further exploration was required.

  As the two entered the front passage, Farker sat on his hinds.

  Gandy looked back. “He won’t come in. What do you suppose that means?”

  “I don’t suppose anything. Maybe his programming doesn’t allow it.”

  The corner was passed and the passage opened into a broad room. A handful of items were stacked against on
e wall. Harris walked over to inspect.

  “Food containers and such. Not too old, either. Could be Mr. Dodger sheltered in here or something. Although I don’t know why, if he had his ship.”

  Gandy turned, stumbled and fell, disappearing into a wall as it crumbled.

  “Gandy?”

  “I’m here. Banged my head, though. I think it’s bleeding.”

  Gandy Boleman walked back into the chamber. “There’s a door back there. No handle.”

  Harris said, “Hang on. I’ll get the dog.”

  He returned carrying the mechanical pet in his arms. It offered no resistance. The fake wall was stepped through and the dog set on the passage floor. Nothing happened. Harris banged on the door. There was no answer.

  Five minutes were spent inspecting the mystery door before Farker bolted back out into the daylight. He sat waiting for his master. Harris and Gandy emerged a few minutes later.

  “Definitely from that structure. Which tells me half this island might be whatever that boson field device is.”

  Gandy replied, “That door didn’t sound as thick as the one back at the ship. Maybe we could cut through it?”

  Harris chuckled as he climbed down the hill. “Not risking knocking out all wormhole travel. If that structure let’s us in I’ll go in, but I’m not breaking in.”

  An additional day was spent assisting Trish with setting up her shop. When the task was complete, a jump was made to the pick-up point to check for collection of the auto-feeder. The major was waiting in the Warlift.

  Chapter 27

  _______________________

  Harris said, “Thanks for getting this for us. What’s the latest news?”

  The major frowned. “There have been a number of DDI agents sniffing around the Retreat in the last few days. Our captured people have been turned over to our military. A determination as to what to do with them has yet to be made. The news reports stated the New Earth colony on Eden would be reopened, and with unrestricted water rights.”

  A wormhole opened only a few kilometers from the two docked ships. Harris sprinted across the docking tube, slapping the airlock button as he came aboard the Bangor. The tube retracted as the small ship attempted to flee.

  A hail came over the general comm. “This the Domicile Cruiser Beckwith. Cease all maneuvers.”

  Harris cinched his lap belt tight. “Gandy! Strap yourself in! Gonna get turbulent!”

  The Bangor zigged and zagged as it began to gain speed. The Beckwith stayed with it.

  Trish said as she gripped the console in expectation of plasma rounds striking the hull. “We can’t outrun that!”

  Harris huffed. “Well I’m not giving up. We have a live railgun on this ship. Way illegal. I have no interest in either going to prison or being turned over to the Earthers. So we run if we can or we turn and fight.”

  Trish returned an uneasy look. “That’s a full cruiser out there. They can take us out with one salvo.”

  Harris nodded. “I’m aware of that. Powering up for a jump. We’ll see if we can shake them.”

  A wormhole opened to Midelon. The Bangor raced to pass through it. The Beckwith opened a similar portal. Both ships slipped to the other side, still one behind the other.

  Harris gave a confused look. “How’d they do that? How’d they follow?”

  Gandy replied, “They were probably close enough to us and Farker to allow it.”

  Harris growled, “We’ll I can’t take them down to the surface. Hang on, I’ll go for that moon.”

  Five minutes of hard course corrections and continuing ignored hails saw the two ships approaching the surface of Midelon’s lone moon. Another ten minutes of chase followed as the two ships raced across the surface, rising over peaks and ducking into valleys. The cruiser pilot held the much larger ship in close proximity to the Bangor.

  Harris shook his head. “That pilot is good. I can’t shake them. Maybe it’s time I gave them something to think about.”

  Harris enabled the railgun circuit.

  Trish protested. “You can’t! They aren’t the enemy! Those are our people! Our soldiers!”

  Harris turned with a sour look as he flipped the enable to the off position. The ship was turned up and away from the moon and another wormhole opened. This one leading to Chicago Port Station.

  Harris looked at Trish. “If we’re giving ourselves up, we might as well do it on camera.”

  Again the Beckwith followed with a wormhole of its own.

  Harris accepted the comm hail. “Fine. You got us.”

  The captain of the Beckwith replied. “Mr. Gruberg. You are not under arrest. However, we would like to bring you in for a debrief. The crew of the Biarritz, minus the weapons they carried of course, are in the process of returning to the Rabid system. I’ve been sent by Admiral Warmoth to bring you back, should you wish to cooperate.”

  Harris crossed his arms. “So no arrest? And what about Miss Freely?”

  “I don’t have specifics, Mr. Gruberg, other than to say they are all being released. Along with the ship they came in on.”

  Trish was grinning. “No more running? That sounds like a win to me.”

  Harris looked into the comm camera. “Open us a bay door, Captain. I’ll come aboard. My friends here will return to Chicago.”

  The captain nodded. “Bay four will be welcoming you, Mr. Gruberg.”

  Trish piloted the Bangor to the open docking bay, settling on the deck. Harris stood with an unhappy look.

  Trish asked, “You should be giddy right now. Everyone is free.”

  Harris shook his head. Somehow I don’t feel free. I don’t know anyone who has ever come back giddy after a discussion with the DDI.”

  The hatch opened. Harris hopped out onto the deck. “See if you can connect with Tawn, if they actually released her. Otherwise, I’ll see you back on the station when they’re done with me.”

  ***

  The Beckwith settled above the tarmac of Port Henry on the surface of Domicile. The port was well known as the primary location of the Domicile Defense Intelligence forces. Harris Gruberg was escorted through a number of layers of security checkpoints and scans before descending in an elevator for close to five minutes.

  His two escorts turned him over to an attendant sitting behind a desk. “Have a seat over there, Mr. Gruberg. The admiral’s aide should be here to collect you shortly.”

  The attendant came from behind the desk holding a steel ring in his hands.

  “What’s that?” Harris asked.

  The attendant stood in front of him. “It’s an electronic tracking collar. All guests to this facility have to wear them. And don’t worry, it comes off when you leave.”

  Harris scowled. “Wasn’t expecting to be treated like a dog.”

  “Sorry, sir. This is our highest security facility. Nothing is left to chance. Your escort has programmed the route you will be taking back to the admiral’s offices. Should you deviate from that route, you can expect a swift visit from security.”

  The collar was fastened as the admiral’s aide came into the room. “Mr. Gruberg, if you would follow me. The admiral is expecting you.”

  Harris followed the aide for almost ten minutes. The underground facility was enormous, stretching out for kilometers in every direction. A long door-less hall ended at another reception desk.

  “This is Mr. Gruberg. He has an appointment with the admiral.”

  The desk attendant stood with a scanning device. Almost every item of Harris’ being was scanned and logged. The attendant returned to his desk as a door opened to an office. Harris was escorted in and the door closed behind him.

  What appeared to be a stump was sitting behind a polished black desk. An equally stumpish cigar jutted from his mouth. “You made quite the mess, Gruberg.”

  Harris frowned. “Sorry, sir.”

  The admiral stood. “Call me Dirk.. or Warmoth… whichever you prefer. Never liked the title of Admiral. Anyway, do you know why you’re here,
Mr. Gruberg?”

  “No Dirk. I do not.”

  The admiral placed his oversize fists on the desktop as he leaned forward. “Robert Thomas. He’s a personal friend of mine. He recommended I talk with you.”

  Harris asked, “The colonel is a good man. And I had no idea there were any stumps in the DDI.”

  The admiral scowled. “Some of us got too many brains for the battlefront. So they shoved us in here. Three slugs and two stumps. Robert and I go back to bootcamp. Came out of training two years after you. You and Freely are two of the originals. She’s a firecat, that one.”

  “I’m familiar with her.”

  The admiral nodded. “Well, I’m here to tell you that I’d like that relationship to continue. I’d like you to be her partner.”

  Harris returned a confused look. “I am her partner, sir.”

  The admiral huffed. “Not her business partner, you moron. Although we do want that cover to continue. We want you to be her DDI partner. We want the two of you as a team. The truce worlds are falling under the influence of the Earthers, and we need to the two of you out there working on our behalf.”

  Harris fiddled with the steel collar around his neck. “Wait. I’m confused. You want me and Tawn to be agents?”

  Dirk smiled. “You catch on quick, don’t you. Yes. We want you both as agents. You’ve shown you have initiative. You make things happen. And right now there are things happening in the truce sector that we have lost control over. Our leaders are eager to regain that control. I’ve been given the go-ahead to bring you and Miss Freely aboard as undercover operatives.”

  Harris crossed his arms. “Me… a DDI agent? And you think that’s a good idea?”

  The admiral moved the cigar from one side of his mouth to the other with his tongue. “I think it’s a great idea. So great in fact that I came up with it myself. Listen, Gruberg, that sector is going nuts. Those weapons you sold in the outer colonies — and yes we knew about them — well, we weren’t expecting them to find their way to the truce worlds so easily.

  “The DDI has been wanting to arm the outer colonies for years. With the truce and our boundaries well defined, we were willing to turn a blind eye to your efforts and the efforts of one Miss Baxter Rumford. We even supplied the weapons. The Earthers pulled a fast one with diverting those they did to the truce worlds. A few heads around here rolled because of that.”