by PJ Strebor
“No.”
Adroit moved closer to the freighter. A full circuit revealed no external signs of damage. For Winstone, it at least brought something to an otherwise boring day.
“Captain, I’m detecting a power source emanating from the freighter,” Tactical reported. “Unusual wavelength. I can’t isolate it.”
“Let me see,” the helm snapped.
She examined it. “It looks a lot like… holy shit. Captain, we have to get out of here.”
“What?”
“Sir,” ops said, “urgently recommend we withdraw, at once.”
“Ah, all right then, but I don’t see what all the—”
Adroit plunged into darkness. All of her key systems died.
CHAPTER 6
Date: 11th July, 326 ASC
Position: Telford estate, Beachport, Planet Corinth. Athenian core systems.
Status: Shore leave continuing.
His quarry were fast, agile and sneaky. Nathan had guile and experience on his side. They were close, yes, hiding right behind this bush. He roared like a bear causing delighted squealing from his children. They darted from the thin bush land out onto the glen, with the big bear growling in pursuit. He scooped up the squealing youngsters one in each arm and twirled them around and around before placing them gently on the ground.
“Do it again, daddy, do it again,” Ellen pleaded.
Beside her Gary wobbled, finally dropping onto his well-padded backside.
“Lunch-time,” Livy called.
He scooped up Gary who still looked a little dazed, and rested him across his left shoulder. Ellen rode on his right hip.
Over the past ten days a great weight had lifted from Nathan’s shoulders. The spring had returned to his step and he found himself laughing at the most inane of things. The kids put on shows, just to see him laugh. Contentment coursed through his body and mind. Wanting to stay that way he put off any thoughts of his next deployment.
Under the spreading branches of the huge plocker tree, they sat and ate and talked as any young family would do. A new generation of Telfords. He ate too much. The kids followed their father’s gluttonous example. Sated, he lay back, his head resting in Livy’s lap. The kids, similarly drowsy from their feast, nuzzled into him. Livy brushed his hair from his eyes and kissed his forehead. A tiny sigh of pure contentment escaped the back of his throat.
Any more joy will finish me off.
He chuckled at the thought.
“Any word from Moe?” Livy whispered.
“She’s on assignment. Couldn’t talk about details. You know. We’ll catch up with her on her next leave.”
“I miss her.”
“Hmm.”
Livy kissed him, a long lingering kiss that tasted of her sweetness. After an extended period of absence, his heart had indeed grown fonder. Once the kids were down for the night their tender lovemaking and intense passion broke all the boundaries. God, he loved her.
Gary nuzzled closer to his ear. “Daddy?” he whispered.
“Yes, Gary?”
“I did a poopy.”
He sighed. “Well, good for you.”
“Daddy,” he whined.
“Hey young man, you’ve been potty-trained, haven’t you?”
He fell silent looking at his little hands.
“I think he needs a wingman,” Nathan said around a chuckle.
“I’ll take care of him.”
Drowsy with contentment he didn’t argue.
Livy led their son by the hand, disappearing into the house.
Ah, the joys of parenthood.
He enjoyed the moment, savoring the sweet scent of honeysuckle wafting from the surrounding bush land. A slight breeze from the nearby coast kept the temperature mild.
Ellen yawned and snuggled closer.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, my beautiful daughter?”
“I love you, daddy.”
Shit.
“And you are my very favorite daughter.” He hoped against hope that the day would not come when she called his bluff.
“I’m your only daughter, daddy,” she giggled.
“Yes you are. But you have that problem.”
“What?”
“I think Stevie spider’s back.”
“Oh no daddy, not Stevie.”
His fingers transformed into spider legs and attacked Ellen’s exposed belly. She writhed and shrieked begging him to stop. So he did. Then another attack from the friendly arachnid.
“Tell me about my names, daddy.”
Again?
“Hmm. You were named after Ellen Gabreski. Remember, I told you about her?”
“Yes. She rescued you.”
Another lie. He hated lying to his family but could not risk telling anyone the truth. And it wasn’t a complete lie. Gabby had been the one to venture onto the plague planet of Delos to end his confinement there.
“And your second name, Bernice, well, you know that one, don’t you?”
“Grandma Bernice. Why does she live so far away?”
“To her, we’re the ones who live far away.”
“And Gary?”
“Garrison Caleb Telford. You know Caleb, right?” She nodded. “Garrison, after a man who saved my life. Twice.”
To cover his rising discomfort Stevie went on the attack. They were still laughing when Livy returned, Gary riding her hip.
“Nathan?”
Something in her tone caught Nathan’s attention.
He looked for danger. No, not danger exactly. Perhaps a serpent in the garden?
“There’s a man here to see you,” Livy said. “He says it’s urgent. He didn’t give his name, said you’d know him.”
Concern masked her beautiful face.
“Daddy, don’t go,” Ellen cried.
“I’ll just be a minute.”
He forced a smile. Livy ever the naval widow, returned it.
The man standing in the entry had his back to Nathan. The fine trim of his neatly-tailored suit spoke of extravagant taste. He turned and extended his hand.
“Nathan, good to see you again.”
Although older, Nathan instantly remembered the eyes, sharp and dark like a Delosian hawk.
“Leave my home, now.” Nathan contained his voice to a whisper rather than the furious shout that would disturb his family.
Commander ‘hawkeye’ smiled. “Nathan, I just got here.”
“Leave now, or you’ll be carried out.”
“I need your help. Just give me a minute.”
“I don’t give a shit what you want, Spotiswood,” Nathan said. “I’m not that traumatized boy you threatened thirteen years ago. You have nothing to say to me that I would be remotely interested in hearing.”
“We’ve lost a monitor.”
Nathan battled against twin emotions; justified rage and intense curiosity.
“What do you mean, lost?”
“Just so,” Spotiswood said. “The attack boat Adroit. There one minute, gone the next. I have my sources looking into it, but for now I need to get to her last known position and snoop around. My helm officer is in the infirmary, two broken legs, skiing accident. She’ll be up and about in a few weeks but I can’t wait. You’re available so –”
“Me? Work for you?” Nathan had to fight to contain the strength of his laughter.
“You’re command pilot qualified and from what I’ve heard you’re a pretty good one. So, how about it?”
“This is a covert mission, right?” Hawkeye nodded. “Then you can’t order a serving officer to do spook work.”
“Order? No of course not.” His smirk set Nathan’s teeth on edge.”But I can make it worth your while.”
Nathan shook his head. “Never. I’ll never play spook for you. Get out, Spotiswood.”
“Everyone has their price, Nathan.” He pursed his lips in the way Nathan remembered and despised. “Captain Jardine will, no doubt, be very pleased to have you back under her leash, I’m sure. I
can get you out of her grasp. Name the boat you want and the transfer is as good as done. What do you say?”
To his shame Nathan hesitated. The spook knew far too much about him to trust anything he said. The temptation to take the offer was almost irresistible. Almost.
“Fuck off!”
“What of Adroit’s crew? Despite what you think of me, surely her crew should be your priority?”
“If she’s lost, any half competent driver can steer your boat. You don’t need me.” Nathan knew the spook hid a truth that he held back. His eyes narrowed. “But of course there’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”
“Details, details, we can sort them out later.”
“Now!”
The intelligence officer nodded. “It’s possible that she may, I emphasize may, have been captured by enemy forces.”
“Then God help her crew. They’re in the north by now, beyond our reach.”
Spotiswood snorted. “Not beyond the reach of the Athenian Naval Security Intelligence Organization.”
Again Nathan laughed. “You expect me to volunteer to cross the border into the north? I feel for the crew but no, I won’t do it.”
Spotiswood sighed, defeated.
“Very well, Nathan, at least I tried,” Commander Spotiswood said. “Pity about the crew, and if they’ve captured a monitor intact they will soon know every trick in the Monitor Corps book.”
Don’t listen to him. Don’t listen. He couldn’t lie straight in bed.
Commander Spotiswood stopped at the door. “Well, good luck with the rest of your time on Courageous. Pity about Adroit’s crew, including Lieutenant Okuma, but these things –”
Nathan grabbed him roughly by the shoulder and pinned him to the hard wall.
Nathan felt his blood rising, his eyes burning with hatred. “If I find out that you’re lying to me about this I swear, by whatever pig god you worship, that I will kill you.”
“You know what, Nathan? I actually believe you.” He brushed Nathan’s hands from his vest. “Lieutenant Mary Ann Okuma is on record as having been appointed helm officer aboard the Athenian Monitor Adroit, fifty nine days ago. If you won’t do it for the corps, and you won’t do it for the crew, you’ll do it for your very best friend. Won’t you.”
It wasn’t a question. The bastard had found his price and knew it.
Through the clear bay windows the kids danced around Livy under a sunny, clear blue sky. Nathan’s heart sank. He could placate Livy. ‘Darlin’, Moe’s in trouble.’ But the kids…
“When?”
“Now. The clock’s ticking.”
Like a prisoner walking to the gallows, Nathan steeled himself for the tears to come.
CHAPTER 7
In connection with military matters, one must never say that something can absolutely not be done. By this, the limitations of one's heart will be exposed. — Asakura Soteki (1477 - 1555).
Date: 11th July, 326 ASC
Position: Leaving Corinth orbit. Heading out of system.
Status: Indeterminate.
“Ah, if you don’t mind me asking, where are we going, sir?”
Nathan glanced at the chief petty officer who occupied the right-hand seat of the landing boat.
“You know as much as I do, chief,” Nathan said. “I’ve got a heading to follow and that’s it.”
She leaned across and whispered. “Sounds a bit spooky to me.”
“I’m sure the officer in the back has already warned you to curb your curiosity. I strongly suggest the same.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
Following Spotiswood’s instructions, he followed the prescribed heading for one hour forty-seven minutes, at flank speed. As the clock ticked onto the time, Nathan rolled the boat over and brought it to a dead stop. Dark, empty space surrounded the small boat. His sensors actively scanned the region to the limit of their range, and found nothing but an endless void.
He thought about informing Spotiswood of their arrival, then dismissed the idea. Hawkeye knew all. So they waited.
Time passed until he heard a slight beep from his stern sensors. Small, like a short burst of thrusters. Then a nudge against the hull. Through the port view plate Nathan could make out a part of what could be a small landing boat. Black as night, he’d never seen a design like it. He stepped into the cabin as Spotiswood opened the hatch. A brief muffled exchange, Hawkeye unhappy about something.
“Get your gear aboard, Nathan” the Commander said. Then to the non com, “Chief, do I need to explain what will happen to you if even the slightest rumor of this day gets out?”
“I didn’t see a thing, Commander.”
Spotiswood nodded once and followed Nathan into the LB. The hatch had just closed when the strange boat undocked. Nathan was struck by the sleek lines and tiny interior of the boat. He dropped his bags onto the deck and took a seat.
The boat put on an impressive turn of speed, Nathan feeling the gees rising. Having reached her maximum speed the pressure abated. Unbuckling, Nathan doubled over as he made his way forward.
He stood to the right of the only seat on the flight deck. The pilot, dressed like everyone in mufti, ignored him. The instrumentation was, for the most part, familiar. A few variations here and there. The pilot squirmed as one might with a vulture perched on his shoulder.
“Anything I can help you with?” His tone rough, impatient.
“Yeah, what’s that?” He pointed.
“Emergency forward thrusters. Only good for one burst before they need recharging.”
The pilot volunteered more than he had to, so Nathan continued asking questions until he felt familiar with the layout.
“Where are we going?” Nathan asked.
“Ask the commander.”
“When will we get there?”
“Ask the –”
“Yeah, got it,” Nathan said. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
He received a surly grunt as a reply.
It was a start. Nathan continued on in the same vein. A young woman, nineteen or twenty years old, who’d been the only other passenger on the outward leg of their journey, sat examining her DRP. To spare his back any further strain he sat on his heels.
“Hello, I’m Nathan.”
She look up from her reader and blinked. “What?”
Attempting to lighten the moment he lowered his voice. “Me Nathan, you?”
“Jane.”
Nathan chuckled.
“What now?”
“Oh sorry. Your name really is Jane?”
“Why shouldn’t it be?”
“You know. The old movie, me Tarzan you Jane?”
Jane looked at him as if he was an ape man. Smelling a professional academic he tried a different tact.
“What’s your posting?”
She brightened, moderately. “Computer sciences officer. I have three diplomas in computer sciences and sensor enhancements.”
“What, no doctorates?”
“I will complete my doctorate in advanced computer sciences by the end of the year.”
“That’s impressive, for someone of your age.”
“Thank you. And your posting?”
“Boat jockey.” He should have known better.
“What?”
“Command pilot.”
“Oh.”
Nathan got the impression that this book worm felt more comfortable cocooned within the safety of academia, rather than the harsh realities of the world.
“I’ll catch up with you later, no doubt,” Nathan said.
“Yes.”
Before Nathan could resume his seat her head hovered over her reader.
Spotiswood spoke into his larynx mike too softly for Nathan to hear.
“Nathan?” He smiled in a less predatory way than normal and nodded to the bow.
Curious, he stepped onto to the flight deck. Through the forward view plates he could just make out a rough shape in the distance. Black on black. No readings from the landin
g boat’s sensors. It grew as they approached and Nathan’s first impression was that it resembled a sleek arrowhead. About a third the size of a monitor attack boat, she looked sharp enough to slice bread. Unlike a monitor, this boat had angles, sharp edges that may deflect sensor scans. Tractors docked the landing boat into the recess in the starboard side of her hull, forming a perfect seal. The final piece of the puzzle in place.
Despite the circumstances leading up to this point, Nathan felt his juices flowing.
How stealthy is she?
Nathan followed the pilot’s shutdown procedure then turned as the hatch slid open.
“Welcome back, Commander.” The woman, late thirties, hard featured, formidable, glanced over Hawkeye’s shoulder at Nathan. “Did he give you as much grief as you thought?”
“Nah, piece of cake.”
I’m right here.
“Nathan, I need you on the bridge. Max, would you show Jane to her quarters and put Nathan’s bags in his?”
“Aye-aye, Commander,” the pilot replied.
Doubled over to avoid the ultra low overhead, Nathan followed Spotiswood along a narrow corridor, through an unmarked hatch and onto the bridge. The woman took her place next to Spotiswood.
Captain and D-O?
Nathan strapped into the helm officer’s chair and examined the console. Like the landing boat, most of the systems were familiar to him. Yet more simple, refined, elegant.
“All panels show green across the board,” the D-O reported. “We’re clear to depart, Commander.”
“Helm,” the commander said, “I’m sending coordinates to your nav com. Get us there a-sap.”
Are we cleared to hyper out of the system?
Nathan got the strongest impression that this boat could go wherever she pleased and would answer to no one.
He ingressed the boat at dead slow, then brought her steadily up to full ahead. With their course set north Nathan brought up her technical specs and began skipping over the highlights. Only on the odd occasion did he get a surprise. Like the boat’s top speed. She could outrun, in hyper or normal space, any vessel known to exist. He scrolled down to weaponry. One tube with only three torpedoes. A single pulsar equivalent in power to one on his Specter. A few other little tricks but nothing major.
“She’s no warship,” the D-O said over his shoulder. “But she’s buzzed naval facilities within Athens’ core systems and not been detected.”