"Anything that you need, let me know. If we have it, it's yours."
"Thank you again, Captain. If you have sufficient crew, I'd suggest putting a small group in one of the Raider ships and posting it outside the asteroid. Our ship sensors are severely limited in here because of the thickness of the outer walls. Having a ship outside would substantially extend any advance warning of visitors and possible trouble. I wasn't able to do it because I couldn't split up my small force. The ship could come back inside quickly if any Raider ships are detected."
"Good idea, Captain. We can use a shuttle though."
"I thought that one of the smaller Raider ships might be more comfortable for extended surveillance duty. The ship can then remain outside unless a problem occurs. The team of sentries will have a galley and real beds. All the ships have been disabled, but my chief engineer, Lieutenant Commander Cameron, can re-enable any of them easily enough. And the sensors would be a little more powerful."
"Okay, Captain, I'll designate a small crew for surveillance duty as soon as I return to my ship. Since you and your chief engineer are familiar with the vessels you've commandeered, you should select a vessel and re-enable it for use. Anything else?"
"No sir. Except to say that I'll sleep a lot better now that you're here."
By dinnertime all of the prisoners had been moved to the Geneva, in groups of five, and the Colorado's corridors had begun to clear as supplies were moved back into the holds. With the prisoners gone, and responsibility for the base security passed to Captain Pope as the ranking officer, Jenetta was free to relax. After a leisurely dinner, she composed messages to her parents, sisters, and brothers, and then sent them to the com operator to be included with the next outgoing traffic. She spent the rest of the evening sitting on the carpeted deck in her quarters, grooming her cats. They purred contentedly and licked at her hands with their rough tongues as she combed and brushed their short, dense fur.
Over the next month, the GSC destroyers Asuncion and Ottawa arrived, each docking with the Geneva and Colorado so that it was possible to pass through all four ships using airlocks. As required by regulations, a junior officer and Marine sentry was always standing by at each open airlock in each ship. In the event of a problem, the airlock could be closed and the connection severed in seconds.
Captain Crosby of the Ottawa, as the senior ranking officer, assumed command upon arrival at the base. Commandant Bacheer hadn't gotten any further with Captain Pope than he had with Jenetta so he was happy to have a new contact among the Space Command forces. He quickly learned that he wouldn't be any better off in dealing with Captain Crosby. After receiving complete reports both from Jenetta and Captain Pope, Captain Crosby repeated the threats that any attempt at revolt would result in torpedoes being launched at the habitat. Furthermore, he informed Bacheer that he would be held personally accountable for any trouble in the habitat, and that he'd better keep a lid on things if he ever hoped to be a free man again.
While the ships were kept at elevated alert status because of the situation, off duty personnel were allowed to socialize with friends and new acquaintances on the other ships. In a similar vein, the captains of the ships dined together almost every night. The loneliness of command wasn't quite so bad on those evenings.
The GSC heavy cruiser Song arrived at the asteroid base in the fifth month following the base seizure. The ship docked with the other GSC ships inside the asteroid, dwarfing the Colorado.
Jenetta was working in her briefing room when the computer announced that Lieutenant Ashraf of the cruiser Song was requesting to be admitted. "Come," she said, without even looking up from the report that she was working on as the computer opened the sliding door to admit the caller.
The officer entered and walked to her desk, stopping at attention. Jenetta looked up and smiled at the officer that had previously served under her.
"At ease," Jenetta said as she came out from behind her desk and extended her hand. "How have you been, Lori?"
Lieutenant Ashraf relaxed, smiled, and shook the proffered hand lightly. "Fine, ma'am. We just docked. I thought I'd come over and say hello."
"I'm glad that you did. Please, sit down. Tell me about yourself and the rest of the Song crew. What's it been, about three and a half years?"
"Just a little over four since you turned the ship over to Captain Yung. You don't look a day older."
"Courtesy of the Raider's illegal medical experiments. I've been told that I'll look like a recent Academy graduate until well after I retire from Space Command. Then, during my final few years, the entire aging process will happen very rapidly."
"The Fountain of Youth," Lieutenant Ashraf said whimsically, "everyone's dream for millennia. The formula would be worth hundreds of trillions of credits."
"The secret was probably lost when Raider One blew up, although the Commandant of this base told me that Mikel Arneu has gone into the new Frontier Zone to establish another research base. He'll probably resume work on the process."
"I'm sure they'll have no trouble finding test subjects if they use you for an example of the effectiveness of the process."
"The price is rather steep," Jenetta said. "You have to give up your freedom and become a pleasure slave in one of their brothels. They brainwash you to enjoy a life of complete servitude and self-sacrifice for the enjoyment of others, and wipe your mind of all useless information, such as the ability to read and write. It's not worth it."
"Did they brainwash you?"
"They began the process, but I was able to escape before it progressed very far. A doctor at Higgins was able to override the programming. Luckily, they hadn't gotten to the erasure step yet. But I still carry the 'slave' imprint on my chest. It can't be removed because they programmed it into my DNA. But enough about me, tell me about you."
"Well, I'm third officer now, so I have the bridge whenever the Captain leaves it during first watch. I have enough time in grade and I hope to make the next Lieutenant Commander Selection List. Captain Yung is a wonderful commanding officer. Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez is still our chief engineer, and he really took your advice to heart. He's worked hard at becoming less of a micro-manager, and spends a lot more time training the officers under him to be self-sufficient. You'd be proud. We all benefited from your time as our captain. I'm happy to see that you have your own command again."
"This is only a scout-ship. A very large one to be sure, but still just a scout ship. As soon as the Prometheus arrives, we'll re-dock with them, and I'll resume my duties as XO."
"I'm sure that you'll have your own command soon. With the new territory opening up, we'll need a great many more ships, and there should be a lot of opportunity for advancement."
"No doubt, but it'll take years to build those ships. I wish you luck though. I'm sure that a position will open up when you make the Selection List."
"Thank you, Captain. I hope that you'll consider me for a posting to your command when you get your ship."
"I certainly will, if you're still interested."
"I will be. If you'll excuse me, I have to be getting back now. The captain allowed me twenty minutes to come say hello in person, and I think I spent ten minutes just climbing through airlocks."
"Of course. Goodbye, Lori. It was wonderful seeing you again."
"You too, Captain. Are you coming to the reception on the Song tomorrow night?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then I'll see you there." Looking at the cats lounging against the side walls, she said, "I must say that your pets are beautiful. Will you be bringing them?"
"No, they're uncomfortable in crowds, and they tend to be very protective. They'd make the attendees nervous."
"Too bad. They'd be the hit of the party."
After the lieutenant left, Jenetta finished her report, and then called it a day. It was almost dinnertime and she was beginning to feel insatiably hungry, but first she had to take her cats to her quarters and feed them.
Captain Yung greete
d Jenetta as she entered the reception party on the Song. The party was limited to the senior staffs of the ships gathered at the base.
"Commander Carver, welcome," Captain Yung said. "It's wonderful to see you again."
"Thank you, Captain. It's wonderful to see you also and a pleasure to be back aboard the Song. It's a fine ship."
"Yes, it is. And it has a fine crew. When you turned the ship over to me at the Mars Ship Yard, I had no idea how very popular you were with my officers. They still talk about your fight with the assassin that managed to make it into your quarters just prior to the Battle for Higgins."
Jenetta smiled. "I prefer to think about the more pleasant aspects of our time together."
"Understandable. If you have time later, I'd love to hear how you captured an entire Raider base with just that small ship of yours."
"Of course, Captain. It's not much of a story, though."
"Really? I understood that you destroyed sixteen warships and captured two dozen others."
"We simply used the element of surprise to our best advantage, but I'll relate the details later if you wish."
Other officers were arriving so Jenetta let the captain return to his receiving line duties and walked into the conference room. She was surprised to see a civilian leaning against a wall, sipping on a drink. She walked over and introduced herself.
"Hello, I'm Commander Carver."
"Ah, so you're the one responsible for this assemblage of ships. I'm Trader Vyx."
Jenetta looked at his strong, rugged features. At five-foot-eleven, Vyx was the same height as Jenetta. His deeply tanned skin and dark brown hair and eyes gave him a look that one would describe as rugged. If anything, his features appeared even harsher than in the old picture she had seen while reviewing the arms investigation reports at Higgins. "I'm glad to see that you were able to get off the Gollasko Colony safely."
Vyx, who had appeared to be bored until then, was at once wary. Jenetta noticed the almost imperceptible tightening of his muscles.
"Gollasko?" Vyx said innocently. "I'm sure that I don't know what you're talking about, Commander."
Jenetta smiled and said in a lowered voice, "I understand. Still, I'm glad that Shev Rivemwilth's bodyguards were overmatched. I won't mention it again. What are you doing aboard the Song?"
Vyx looked at her suspiciously. "Just hitching a ride. I had some merchandise that I wished to offer Space Command, and the captain was generous enough to give me a lift since I was headed this way. The Song is quite a bit faster than my own small ship, which fits nicely into a maintenance bay."
"Are you heading into the new frontier?"
"Yes, my immediate destination is the mining colony of Scruscotto. I think there are opportunities there for a savvy trader such as myself."
"How do you feel about the Galactic Alliance's decision to extend the borders by a hundred parsecs?"
"I think that the Galactic Alliance has bitten off a hell of a lot more than it can chew, and that Space Command will be hard pressed to cover the new territory. I expect to see law enforcement efforts pushed back twenty years, as an organization that is far too small for the space it's supposed to safeguard, tries to cope."
"It might appear that way right now. The GAC has announced plans to expand the Academy system and double the current budget for new ship construction, but you're correct that it will take years to build our forces to where they'll be as effective as they were in the old, smaller territory. Space Command is going to need the unswerving dedication of all its people and resources."
Vyx stared at Jenetta for several seconds before responding. "No doubt. Excuse me, Commander," he said, before tossing down the remainder of his drink and holding up his empty glass, "I need a refill." Vyx stepped around her and moved towards the beverage bar.
Jenetta watched his walk, thinking that he moved with the same kind of relaxed, self-confident gait as her cats. Turning towards a group of senior officers from the Geneva, she joined their discussion about the reassignment of homeports now that the borders had changed.
Vyx, his glass refilled, moved to another solitary position against the far wall. Every time Jenetta glanced his way, she noticed that he was staring at her. He never looked away when she looked at him, but she didn't feel intimidated. She knew that she had surprised him with her knowledge of his activities, and he was trying desperately to figure out how she knew what she knew.
After leaving the party, Jenetta took a few minutes to walk to the captain's quarters and say hello to the captain's steward, Woodrow Casell. He had been Jenetta's steward during the year she had served as the ship's captain. The Marine sentry immediately recognized her and after hearing of her intention allowed her to enter despite the fact that the captain wasn't in his quarters.
Jenetta was in her briefing room the following morning when she received a message that a civilian named Trader Vyx was at the larboard bow airlock requesting to see her. "Have him escorted to my briefing room," she said.
A short time later, the computer announced that Marine Corporal Pettle and an unidentified person were requesting admittance. Vyx was standing at the entrance with a Marine when Jenetta opened the door by saying, "Come."
Waving off the Marine guard, she said, "Come in, Trader. May I offer you a cup of coffee or tea?"
"Nothing, thank you," he said as he entered and the doors closed behind him.
"Please sit down. How may I help you?"
Vyx plopped into one of the floating "oh-gee" chairs facing Jenetta. "I came to apologize for last night. You surprised me by having knowledge that I hadn't divulged to anyone aboard the Song. I was rude to have walked away."
"As I said last night, I understand completely. I didn't say anything that would compromise your position and I kept my voice low anyway."
Vyx's face scrunched up into a look of surprise and exasperation. "There you go again. What exactly do you think my position is?"
Jenetta smiled enigmatically. "You're Lt. Commander Victor Gregorian, a Space Command officer and undercover agent for SCI. You were at the Gollasko Colony to purchase stolen Space Command weapons from Shev Rivemwilth. Following a successful negotiation with Shev Rivemwilth, a convicted Tsgardi killer named Recozzi walked in and reached for his weapon. You killed him when you sliced off the top of his skull with your laser pistol, but as he dropped, wild rounds from his lattice pistol hit Rivemwilth and two of his bodyguards. The other bodyguards chased after you, believing you to be responsible, but you managed to evade them and reach your hotel. When Rivemwilth recovered, he called off the bodyguards. You sent a recording of the meeting, which included the serial number of a sample weapon. Space Command traced the weapon to the point where it disappeared from the supply channel. That point was the munitions depot at Delos-Anon."
Vyx had just stared at her, his mouth opening slightly as she talked. "I didn't know about Delos-Anon. Just who are you?"
"I'm Commander Jenetta Alicia Carver, first officer of the Prometheus, temporarily acting as captain of the Scout-Destroyer Colorado."
"I already knew that much. Hell, everybody between here and Earth knows that much. I mean the other. You know stuff that no first officer, or even any ship's captain, would have access to. Stuff that no one in this part of space, except for myself, should know, or could know."
"That's incorrect, but I'm not at liberty to discuss it for reasons of national security. I could tell you— but then I'd have to kill you."
Vyx just stared at her with a confused expression on his face. Jenetta held a serious expression for as long as she could, and then chuckled.
"That was a joke, Trader. Okay, here it is. Twelve months ago, as you were fighting to stay alive on Gollasko, I was working in the Intelligence Section on Higgins. In fact, I was charged with reviewing all materials related to the stolen arms investigation, and with making recommendations for subsequent actions. I was briefed on your situation by Captain Kanes."
"You were on Higgins twelve months ago?
"
"Twelve months and two weeks."
Vyx stared at her for a few seconds. "That's impossible. Higgins is fifteen months from here in the fastest ship in the fleet. My information is that you captured this base almost five months ago. You couldn't have been on Higgins when you say that you were."
"All joking aside, there are many things that I'm not at liberty to discuss, but I can't hide the fact that I was on Higgins a year ago October. Too many people saw me. I also can't deny that I was in this base eight months later. Again, there are too many witnesses to my presence."
"You have two clones. You could be pulling some kind of 'twins' switch."
"Both of my sisters are in highly visible line officer positions aboard Space Command Battleships with thousands of crewmembers. Besides, how would I know about you if I wasn't working for Intelligence?"
"I don't know, and I admit that bothers me, a lot. But I know that no ship can travel faster than Light-375."
"No?"
"Isn't that the rated speed of the Prometheus class battleships?"
"That's the official rating."
"You're saying that it can travel faster?"
"I'm not saying anything. Such information would be classified, if it was true, although I know that you could be trusted to keep it confidential."
Vyx stared at Jenetta again for a few seconds. "Forgetting about Space Command for a minute, and talking strictly about hypothetical situations, what's the fastest speed that you believe we could achieve given our current level of technology?"
Jenetta grinned. "Speaking strictly hypothetically, and in strictest confidence, I would have to say that Light-9375 is within the current realm of possibility."
"Light-9375?!" Vyx said, with difficulty.
"I'm not saying that such speed is feasible for normal travel yet, and I definitely wouldn't repeat the possibility of attaining such a speed outside this briefing room. There could be all sorts of problems associated with achieving such speed, and it may be years before it can be used with any real degree of control and reliability. For instance, the ship could suffer extensive drive damage during such a test."
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