Levi shrugged. She’d been checking the starship listings. “It should be enough,” she said, grimly. “We don’t have time to argue.”
The fence seemed delighted to advance them a promissory note as soon as they’d made arrangements to begin transfer. Levi rather suspected that the fence thought that their goods were stolen, but it hardly mattered. She drew up a handful of listings and forwarded them to the XO, then waited while he studied them.
“This one should do,” he said, finally. “It’s a fairly standard bulk freighter, at fifteen thousand credits.”
“Yes, sir,” Levi said. She led the way down the corridor, carefully giving a trio of spider-like aliens plenty of room. They weren't notably unfriendly, according to her implants, but she firmly believed that spiders shouldn't be quite that large. “You’ll have to be very careful with the dealer.”
The starship dealer turned out to be a tall humanoid alien with fish-like scales and big, oversized eyes. Levi had the impression that he - she assumed the alien was a male - wasn't exactly comfortable in the ring, although it wasn't as though it would be hard to adapt a small section to suit his race. Perhaps he was just trying to be accommodating to his alien customers. And yet, the more he spoke, the more she thought of a used aircar dealer. He seemed convinced that the universe would end if they didn't buy this particular freighter.
“Only fifteen thousand,” he insisted, as they teleported to the freighter and examined it in cynical detail. “And five careful owners.”
Right, Levi thought. The bulk freighter was immense. Her drives and control systems seemed to be in good shape, but her crew sections needed a thorough clean before they were suitable for human habitation. And how many careless owners?
“I can offer ten thousand,” the XO said, as they stood on the cramped bridge. “And eleven thousand if you throw in a couple of ID codes, too.”
The dealer produced a hissing sound. “Eleven thousand?”
“This freighter is too big for an independent merchant,” the XO pointed out. “She’s just too expensive to run when you can't fill the hold. The only people who’d be interested in buying a ship this size are governments and big corporations and neither one would be interested in buying from you. I don’t think you’ll get a better offer.”
“I have two open offers for thirteen thousand,” the dealer insisted.
“Then take them,” the XO said. “Teleport us back to the ring and we’ll go somewhere else.”
The dealer gave them a nasty look. He had remarkably sharp teeth. “Twelve thousand,” he said. “I’ll throw in the ID codes and a free service.”
“The codes have to be verified,” the XO said. “And we need the ship now.”
“You can fly the ship out of here as soon as you pay,” the dealer said. Levi wasn't surprised that he didn't bother to mention the other offers again. The bulk freighter would be so hard to sell that any reasonable dealer would have sold it at once, if someone had offered thirteen thousand. Commander Biscoe hadn't been fooled by the bluff. “You can have it now, if you want.”
“The money will be transferred within the hour,” the XO said. “We thank you.”
The dealer said nothing. Levi rather suspected that meant he was relieved to have finally sold the ship.
“We’ll get a crew over here now, then take her out of here,” the XO said. “I ...”
His wristcom bleeped. “Mr. Biscoe, we’ve picked up a large enemy force heading towards Kami,” the captain said. “I suggest you expedite matters.”
“Understood,” the XO said. “We’ll move as quickly as we can.”
Levi was already checking the listings online. Finding a smuggler - and an ID forger - was surprisingly easy. But then, no one was interested in actually hunting them down. Kami had no laws, after all. The only question was how much they’d charge to do the work.
“You have seven hours,” the captain warned. His voice was grim. “And then they’ll be on top of us.”
“Yes, sir,” the XO said.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Is this actually true?
The majority of worlds that have applied to join the Grand Alliance are not significant industrial powers, even with their industrial fabricators unlocked. They are about as useful as the Channel Islands in World War Two - nice to have, perhaps, but hardly important targets. The Tokomak are unlikely to waste time and starships capturing Rugad or Fiddle when neither world offers anything of value.
Why should we expect the Tokomak to leave Sol alone when it is the most important target in the galaxy?
-Solar Datanet, Political Forum (Grand Alliance Thoughts).
“Captain,” Callaway said. “Force Two has now reappeared. It will enter the Kami System in nine hours.”
“Noted,” Elton said. “And Force One?”
“Still on course,” Callaway said. “She’ll be on top of us in less than an hour.”
Elton nodded in grim understanding. The analysts hadn't had time to carry out a proper tactical survey, but they’d concluded that Kami lacked the unified defence network necessary to stand off even a single battle squadron. He couldn't help feeling that the locals evidently agreed. Hundreds of starships were already undocking from the ring and heading out into deep space, even though - technically - Kami was a neutral world. But then, a battle fleet heading towards any world was bad news.
At least we’ll have plenty of cover when we run, he thought.
He glanced at Williams. “Did you get an update from the engineers?”
“They think the bulk freighter is in - barely - acceptable condition,” he said. “She’s a real fixer-upper. She won’t last forever without some proper work, but she’ll do for now.”
“Good,” Elton said. “Order them to take the freighter to the RV point, then have the other freighters moved to the second RV point.”
“Aye, sir,” Williams said.
Elton took one final look at the display, then resumed his pacing. The Harmonies were bearing down on them, yet ... yet they couldn't leave until they picked up the supplies and ID codes they needed. There was too great a chance of being caught as they made their way through the enemy lines without them. He wished, just for a moment, that they could recruit help, but it was unlikely that any of the Galactics would stick their neck out for a lone human starship. Sol was a tiny star thousands of light years away, while the Harmonies were practically next door.
If we’re lucky, maybe they’ll breach the planet’s neutrality in a way no one can ignore, he thought, grimly. That might give them something else to worry about.
***
“People are starting to panic,” Tyler said.
Levi nodded in grim agreement. Hundreds of ships were hastily jacking up their prices, demanding that customers pay two or three times over the odds just to get a seat on a ship leaving the system. Everyone knew, now, that the Harmonies had sent a battle squadron to Kami, even though they didn't know why. There was a lot of outraged shouting on the datanet, with theories ranging from a full-scale invasion to a search and destroy mission. The latter was surprisingly close to the truth, but - so far - no one seemed to have any theory on just what the Harmonies were looking for. The smart money seemed to be on a pirate who’d raided their shipping.
She looked up as the XO came out of the forger’s office, clutching a pair of datachips. The codes should get them through the gravity points, as long as the Harmonies didn't have a reason to start taking a very careful look at the ship. He looked grim, unsurprisingly. The forger would have jacked up his prices too. Levi had no doubt that he was also bidding for a seat on a starship too.
“They should be sufficient,” the XO said. He passed her the credit chip. “Are you ready to find a place to hide?”
Levi nodded, wordlessly. She'd considered bidding for a slot on a departing ship now, but the prices were skyrocketing. Someone was more likely to remember a pair of humans if they paid a vast price without complaint. Besides, there was no way to know wher
e they’d be going. She’d prefer a freighter with a guaranteed destination.
As long as they don’t occupy the ring, she thought, numbly. We might have to cosplay as Klingons just to escape notice.
“Good luck,” the XO said. “And try not to get caught.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tyler said. Levi could tell he was nervous, although she wasn’t sure if it was because he’d be alone with her or because they'd be trapped on the ring. “We’ll do our best.”
“We will, sir,” Levi said. “Get the ship home.”
She watched him turn and hurry back to the airlock, dodging a pair of aliens trying to purchase tickets off the ring. The datanet was filling up with demands, offers and counter-offers as more and more people started to panic. An alert warned that the space elevators between the ring and the planet’s surface were crammed - no matter how many people wanted off, the elevators couldn't move any faster. Another alert reminded everyone that teleportation within the ring was strictly restricted.
“I have a place to go,” she said, catching Tyler’s arm. The transient flophouse wouldn't be very pleasant - she’d been in a couple during her childhood - but it was rated suitable for humans. No one would be interested in asking questions, she thought. Even if the Harmonies did board the ring, most of the residents would tell them nothing. “Come on.”
Tyler nodded, his face pale. Levi forced down her annoyance as he followed her down the corridor, hurrying past a pair of crowded airlocks. Hundreds of armed guards, some wearing planetary militia uniforms, were taking up position, ready to prevent the locals from storming the airlocks. They weren't human - she’d only found a handful of humans on the datanet - but she had no trouble telling that they were nervous too. It wouldn’t be long until there was a nasty incident and people got hurt.
Barely twenty minutes left, she thought, as they found a transit tube and hurried down it. And then ...
She winced as she heard the sound of shooting behind her. That hadn't taken long.
“Keep moving,” she hissed. “We do not want to get stunned - or killed.”
They reached the flophouse ten minutes later. A couple of armed guards - and a single manager - eyed them with open suspicion until she showed them one of her credit chips, then greeted her as though she was a honoured guest. They’d gouge every last credit from her they could, she knew from bitter experience, but they wouldn't actually try to rob her. Even so, she was careful not to show them all her money. The transients who used flophouses regularly might not be so willing to uphold the rules.
“Hey,” a voice called, as they entered the common room. Levi looked up to see a middle-aged human, leaning against the bulkhead as he watched the viewer. He spoke Galactic One with a strong accent. His hand trembled as he spoke. “What are you in for?”
“We just got kicked off the Pallas,” Levi lied. It wasn't the best cover story she’d ever had, but it had the advantage of being impossible to disprove. No one bothered to keep track of starships entering or leaving Kami. “The bastard of a captain couldn’t make book unless he shed a few crewmen.”
“Poor you,” the human said. He winked at her. “You looking for work?”
“A new billet, as soon as possible,” Levi said. She knew what sort of work he had in mind. “But right now we need to keep our heads down.”
“Of course,” the human agreed.
Tyler coughed. “What are you in for?”
“Been here a while,” the human said. He reached up, as if he wanted to touch his forehead, then stopped himself. “Got kicked off my ship too. Do some work down at the promenade for people ... you know how it is. Need to find another ship ...”
An addict, Levi thought. She’d seen the signs before. You kept stimulating your pleasure nerves until you lost touch with the outside world.
She felt a stab of pity, mixed with contempt. There was no way an addict could be trusted, not completely. He’d do anything for his next pleasure jolt. She didn't blame his former CO for kicking him off the ship. He was so far out of it that he didn't seem to have noticed the emergency situation.
“We’d better get to our room,” Levi said, glancing sharply at Tyler. “We can start looking for our next billet after we get some sleep.”
And after the Harmonies have departed, she added, silently. If they ever do.
***
“The bulk freighter has departed, Captain,” Callaway said. “The enemy fleet is entering the system.”
“Take us away from the planet, best possible speed,” Elton ordered. They’d messed up the timing. He’d hoped to have Odyssey towed out of the system again, but there just hadn't been time to rig the freighters a second time. “And prepare to go into stealth mode.”
We could do with a cloak, he added, in the privacy of his own head. If he ever got back home, he was going to say a great many sharp things to the designer who’d thought Odyssey didn't need a cloaking device. There was optimism and then there was pointless idealism, the latter actively dangerous. We could slip away without being detected ...
The display lit up. “Force One has dropped out of FTL,” Callaway reported. “They’re scanning the system now.”
“Keep us moving,” Elton said. Odyssey was distinctive enough that he’d be astonished if they made it away without being detected. But they might get lucky. “Stand by all weapons.”
“Aye, Captain,” Callaway said.
“They’re broadcasting a message to the entire system,” Williams said. “Captain, they’re ordering the entire system to stand down.”
“That’s not going to go down well,” Callaway said. “The local defences are already scrambling.”
Elton nodded, curtly. Kami might not be able to stand off the battle squadron, but they could make it pay ...
“Force One is bringing up its weapons and tactical sensors,” Callaway reported. He paused as the display washed with red light. “They found us!”
Damn, Elton thought.
“Increase speed,” he ordered, sharply. On the display, the main body of the enemy fleet was turning to face them. “Weapons?”
“All weapons are ready, sir,” Callaway said.
Elton gritted his teeth. They could drop into FTL - and they would - but the enemy would just come after them. Instead ... they needed to lose the enemy ships. The plan he’d devised might work, but ...
“Let them come after us,” he ordered.
“They’re broadcasting a message to the entire system,” Williams said. “They’re not being very complimentary about us, Captain.”
Elton snorted. “Why am I not surprised?”
“They’re promising a major reward to anyone who assists in capturing or destroying us,” Williams added. “Should I shoot them a truth bomb?”
“No,” Elton said. It was tempting to tell the entire system the truth, to inform them just how badly the Harmonies had sinned against galactic law, but it would only provoke the Harmonies to attack Kami. He didn't want that on his conscience. Besides, it would also make it difficult for the away team to sneak back to Hudson Base. “Helm, keep us on our current course.”
“Aye, Captain,” Marie said.
Elton watched as the situation developed. The Harmonies had to be intensely frustrated, even though he doubted they’d ever admit it. Force One had enough battleships to overawe the defenders, but their battleships were the only vessels they had that had a reasonable chance of destroying Odyssey. They had to balance their need to keep the planet under control with the need to chase down Odyssey before she escaped, again.
But sending all their battleships after us doesn’t make them look good, Elton thought. The Harmony warships were gaining, but slowly. It makes them look weak.
“They’re locking missiles on our hull,” Callaway reported. “Captain?”
“Deploy ECM,” Elton ordered. Would the Harmonies actually open fire at this range? ECM or no ECM, the odds of scoring enough hits to matter were minimal. “Stand by point defence ...”
; The display sparkled with red icons. “The enemy ships have opened fire,” Callaway said, in surprise. “They’re right at the edge of powered missile range.”
“Then we’ll try and open it a little,” Elton said. He said a silent prayer for Kami. The Harmonies were about to be embarrassed. He hoped - prayed - they didn't take their humiliation out on the helpless world. “Helm, increase speed.”
“Aye, Captain,” Marie said.
Elton gritted his teeth as the missiles roared closer, icon after icon vanishing from the display as their drives burnt out. The remainder kept coming, the majority grimly refusing to be distracted by the ECM. They’d definitely improved their targeting programs, Elton noted, as the point defence phasers opened fire. Too many of the missiles would have hit their target if they hadn't been burnt out of space.
The Long Road Home (A Learning Experience Book 4) Page 25