“You’re who I’m here to see,” Ayan said. Her military comm channel warned that Carl Anderson was on his way to her in a shuttle and she couldn’t help but smile. “Though I think this rooftop is becoming my office for the hour.”
“I’ve noticed you don’t have a real one,” Lee said. “Something I think people like about you.”
“I wish I had time for an office some days,” Ayan replied. “Back to why I’m braving the windy heights to see you in person. You’re going to be finished all the critical structural work here in a few days, right?”
“Could be done by the end of today, if you like. I could have two hundred and thirty souls available to work on the port tomorrow morning, leaving just a few here to supervise the bots as they put in the rest of the fixtures.”
Ayan knew there were hundreds of fixtures left to install. The recyclers, waste management, communication, and climate control systems were being put in as quickly as the fabrication shop could manufacture them by skitters and a few of the larger bots they had. “What about the combat base features? I know the shield is finished, but you’re still keeping the ship management and servicing systems until the end, right?”
“Yes, but from the sounds of it, you have something else in mind.”
Ayan was thinking on her feet for the first time in what felt like months. “I’m cancelling the construction on the permanent port here.” She could picture the towering port buildings from the vision the Victory Machine gave her in her mind’s eye. She could see how similar a few facets of the Everin Building were to features of those towers. “I may not be on the Council, but I am the primary signing authority for Haven Shore. It’s time I used that power for something important again. I feel more and more like ordering the construction of this building was the last important thing I did.”
“No offense, but I think you’re right.”
“It’s fine, I think there are a lot of people who agree with you.”
“There’s something else I’d like to ask, now that you’ve mentioned it. What does it mean when they call you the Sovereign authority, or White Queen?”
Ayan hated both titles, especially the moniker of White Queen. “I hope the ‘White Queen’ thing never catches, but the documents the Carthans had me sign were that archaic. Liam and one of their upper officers performed the function of witness, while two friends were named in the document, both of them dead now.”
“I’m sorry about that. So that leaves you alone on this document, which says…”
“I technically own everything here and new claims on Tamber have no authority unless they’re made in my name,” Ayan said. The admission felt strange and boastful, but it was the truth. “The Carthans and the British don’t care what anyone else says or does, I’m the only real voice of authority.”
“Like King Matthew in the Olin System,” Lee said.
“I’m not a queen,” Ayan replied with sudden irritation. “Sorry, Lee, I just don’t like people calling me the White Queen, and I’ve seen it coming up on Crewcast.”
“No worries,” Lee replied, chuckling nervously. “I’ll figure out the differences on my own time, probably ask Trina to explain. So, what are we building instead of the port? The landing and service facilities in the Everin Building?” Lee asked.
“Only enough for fifteen shuttles and as many fighters for now. Don’t build the defensive weaponry, but finish the transportation systems. How long would that take? A week or so?”
“With the robot workforce we have right now, about three days. We have a lot of the parts already fabricated. Why are you putting off defensive measures? I’m asking because I’ll have to explain.”
“The Council thinks they’re safe here, so I think it’s time to listen to them and move focus away from Haven Shore’s military participation and armaments. They can depend on the British Alliance for cover, or the Carthans, since at least one of the Council members believes that’s for the best.”
“I’ll be honest, I don’t like it,” Lee said.
“You will, when the dust settles. What I’d like to know is if you would be willing to supervise building efforts somewhere other than Haven Shore? You and the teams have made a big difference here, I’d like to bring you somewhere you could make an even bigger difference.”
Lee thought a moment, looking across the top of the Everin Building. He ran his hand down his face, pushing the light sweat from his skin. “This building doesn’t need much more attention,” he said, half to himself. Ayan’s new habit of thinking out loud was catching. “A week more and it’ll be one of the best places to live in the solar system, with room to spare.” He looked at her then. “I’ll have to talk to Trina about it, but I think she’ll be up for it, too. If there’s somewhere you want to go where people need help, then it’s worth my time.”
“Good, I’ll need everyone on your staff, and as many bots as you can bring,” Ayan replied.
“By the time we’re done here, that’ll be hundreds. In another week it’ll be thousands. Can I ask where you’re building next?”
“Early days yet, I can’t say,” Ayan replied. “But you’ll be among the first to know.”
“I hope I’ll be in that group,” Carl Anderson said from behind.
Ayan turned and gave him a brief hug. “You’re next on my list,” she told him. He was in a lightly armoured black vacsuit with the Rangers emblem on his chest. Unlike normal vacsuits, his light armour version was thicker, with impact absorption and shielding layers. It also had a holster for his ripper sidearm shaped on the thigh. Ayan wore the same style in white, and bore the sunset emblem of Haven Shore. “How did you get here?”
“The Clever Dream dropped me off, cloaked.”
“That is one impressive ship,” Lee said. “We finished talking for now, Commander?”
“Just about,” Ayan said. “I’d like you to gather a team of twenty good people. If I get my plans in order today, I’ll need a team to help me assess the situation at the new site.”
“Aye, I’ll get that started.”
“Thank you, Lee, and thank Trina for me.”
Lee nodded and opened a hatch leading down into the building proper where they were programming and activating another batch of bots.
“I watched the replay of your run in with Frost,” her father said. “How’s your mind?”
Ayan followed him towards the western edge of the rooftop, slowing as she approached the edge. The view from there was incredible. The sun shone over the thick brown and green jungle. A sudden tropical shower was shading a section in the distance, rolling across the treetops. She was as close as she was comfortable being to the edge, over ten metres away. It still felt like she could be swept off the edge any second by a stiff gust.
“What do you think your biggest mistake has been here? Let’s start there,” he replied. The Clever Dream revealed itself, hovering over the Western edge of the roof with its starboard crew ramp down. The jet-black, mirror shine hull of the forty two metre long ship was whole once again. The reactor upgrades performed on Pandem made the ship look bulkier in the back half, but that also meant that the bots performing the work had to use temporary hull plating, not as strong or as durable as the original material. In the months since they settled on Haven Shore, Ayan made it a priority to borrow workers and find the rare materials it took to replace the temporary plating, put the finishing touches on the new reactors, and implement the xetima fuel system so the primary propulsion would work as originally intended. The Clever Dreams’ new profile looked heavier, with enhanced protection around sensitive areas, including the bridge and extended thruster section. Lewis may have been typically bored, but he occasionally told Ayan how well kept he felt. He was a much happier artificial intelligence after assisting the Rangers as well, using his newly refurbished stealth systems whenever the chance arose.
Ayan followed her father onto the ship and breathed a sigh of relief when the ramp closed behind them. Her fear of heights still surprised her.
She knew they were just as high up as before, and as close to the edge of the Everin Building, but as soon as she couldn’t see that, had a ship around her, Ayan’s anxiety dissipated. They made their way to the common room in the centre of the Clever Dream as the ship began moving again. She guessed they were headed towards Platform Three, a reinforced outcropping on the side of one of Haven Shore’s mountains that led to the early makings of Ranger Headquarters. Bots were busy carving into heavy stone and grafting an anti-sensor net into the rough walls of the place. She had nothing to do with it, that was her father’s project.
“I think I made a big mistake with Haven Shore, Dad. I’ve been rethinking things so fast since Frost made his point, but I feel sure of everything I’m doing today. The problem is that all the decisions that feel right are directing me away from the island and everything I’ve built here. When the foundations of the Everin Building were set, I was eager to take care of the people we brought to Tamber with us, maybe extend a helping hand beyond that, but now that the building is almost finished, I’m drawn elsewhere, especially with the Council slowing everything down.”
“You don’t think the new government will speed things up?”
“There’s every chance it’ll be worse, more seats could mean more debate. Who even knows if the majority of the new representatives will be against Haven Shore providing military support?”
“Will you give them a choice? You could take control of military assets, limit the Council to non-military decisions only.”
“That’s sounding better all the time. The Everin Building is a perfect example of what can be done when the Council is left out of the decision-making process. It’s not like it has grown by a sheer force of will, I’ve just gathered our construction people into a command structure under me – something I did when we landed on Haven Shore, and the Council hasn’t gotten around to questioning it because it’s working. I decided we should have a council in Haven Shore because I knew I didn’t want to handle everything, and the couple thousand people who are still here should have a say. As it turns out, the Council has just brought me more busy work, more unnecessary worries. Anything they’re responsible for has been dragging itself along. Right now it’s at a dead stop. Even the agricultural buildings have slowed down because the Council wanted to examine the work force and long term viability.”
“Are they still working through the preliminary stages of building the aquaponics?”
“Yes. Mischa’s been doing what she can, but we need people to expedite these issues at the table as soon as there’s an active Council. I know that a great big change in governing and agendas could result in the Council becoming more self-involved and less effective. People could starve, safety could become a major problem, and Haven Shore could fail altogether if the worst were to happen, but I still dread the thought of returning to a Council seat,” Ayan replied. “All this work Liam and I put into this government could be for nothing if the wrong people sit down at the table.”
“Where’s Lacey?” Carl asked. “I’m sure she’d be useful in any conversation about maintaining your work.”
“Sleeping,” Ayan said. “We were helping with Iloona’s newborns last night. I’ve never seen labour like that before, it only took her half an hour to pop eleven kids. The real work started after. Poor Iloona ran out of nipples at eight mouths, and she had eleven. We had to help with feeding by finding the runts with tubes. Alaka and Lacey sent me to bed after midnight.” She couldn’t help smiling at the memory as she took a seat on a sofa that was built against an inner bulkhead in the gathering area.
“I’ve read about that, it must have been one hell of an experience.”
“Yup, using scanners to find hungry mouths while they’re in the pouch, all three of the boys, too.”
“So she had eight girls and three boys?”
“Yup,” Ayan said. “Babysitting is going to be bedlam if what I saw of Zoe on the beach last week is any indication. I’d still rather that than sit in on the Council, mind you.”
“So, you’re out,” Carl said. “If your feet are pointing somewhere else, and you’ve thought it over, there’s no going back for now.”
Ayan expected a speech about obligation, or some rational goading that would get her to consider not abandoning all her work, but her father was telling her the opposite. It took her by surprise, and she could only respond by sharing her immediate thoughts. “I didn’t know I would be breaking away when I woke up this morning.” She took a moment to make sure of her feelings on the idea. “I just had this dread at accepting my nomination back to a Council seat later today.” She pondered a moment. “I was looking forward to checking on the Everin Building, seeing Iloona’s brood, but that was the only bright point in my day.” She sighed and nodded. “I’m out. I’d rather invoke power of veto from a distance than sit in on another Council meeting that pits one side of the table against the other. In fact, I’m thinking of using that overruling power right away, but first I need to ask you for a favour.”
“So, if I hadn’t come to you, you’d be on your way to me?” Carl asked.
“Definitely,” Ayan replied.
“All right, what’s the favour?” he asked, raising one eyebrow, a gesture she’d taken on.
“Take the Military Liaison seat on the Council. Mischa will nominate you, and I don’t think you’ll have any competition.”
“Done,” he replied without hesitation. “That’ll put me between the Rangers, the Triton, and the Warlord.”
“Commander Anderson,” Lewis addressed from the audio system. “If you take a seat on that Council, you may disappear into the great black abyss of bureaucracy just as Ayan did several long months ago. We’ve only just become friends, haven’t we?”
“I plan on handling the Council differently, Lewis, don’t worry,” Carl Anderson said, visibly amused. “Besides, I’m assuming that Ayan here is going to need you full time again.”
“Really?” Lewis asked. “I suppose that’s only logical, where else would you want to be if you’re not tied to bickering humanoids who question your good judgment.”
“Yes, Lewis, I’ll be moving back in,” Ayan replied.
“My audio systems would not be able to voice my jubilation if I tried, so I’ll spare you and make sure the captain’s quarters are in perfect condition.”
“Thank you, Lewis. For now, can you take us to Port Rush? The exact coordinates are marked in the Victory Machine files.”
“Right away,” Lewis replied.
“Safely,” Ayan warned. “Move in cloaked if you can.”
“Are you intentionally looking for the biggest challenge you can find?” Carl asked with one eyebrow upraised.
“Not intentionally, but I’ve been checking on Port Rush – it’s getting worse down there. I think it’s time to see first hand.”
“From the shadows,” Carl Anderson said.
“I don’t want to be seen there. There’s no point in showing up and making a spectacle, or giving anyone false hope at seeing me with the leader of the Rangers.”
“I get the feeling you’ll be lending a helping hand regardless of appearances,” Anderson said. “What’s your plan?”
“Ideally? To turn a high poverty area into a recruitment centre, then build something bigger than Haven Shore. I want to take most of the fighters, shuttles, soldiers, workers, and as many bots as I can with me when I go to Port Rush and start building. All the claims there are independent, and aside from a couple pockets of recovery that wouldn’t fill the inside of the Everin Building, it’s getting worse by the day. People are starving, scavengers are killing anyone who gets in their way, and a really ugly underground is forming up. The Carthans aren’t doing anything, and the British Alliance is keeping away because they don’t want the responsibility. The smaller allies are too busy to even look in that direction.”
“Meanwhile, the Triton needs thousands of people to crew the ship,” Carl said. “But there are going to be a lot of unfit people
in Port Rush.”
“I know, but a privileged segment is forming on Haven Shore, I can see the classes separating already. Privileged socialists here with millions of lawless poor across Tamber. It’s only a matter of time before they resent us for what we have, and for keeping it to ourselves. Even if that weren’t the case, Frost is right: it’s as if the Haven Shore Council thinks the war has already been won, when we only found a good hiding place. I know there will be problems with recruiting from Port Rush. There are probably even Order of Eden believers, thieves, and a whole segment of people we won’t be able to find records on anywhere, but the Triton has taken in people before. Why not establish a military base in Port Rush and feed the Triton, even the Warlord, crewmembers?”
“It’s ambitious, and I think it’s the right idea, but it’s going to be harder than you think.”
“I know, I’m sure there will be something new and terrible every day, but the good I can do there is so much more important.”
“What does Lacey think about all this?” he asked.
“Still asleep,” Ayan reminded him, glancing at her command and control unit. “She only went to bed three hours ago. She may want to stay with the Council though, so I’m not making any decisions for her. She’d be good there. Great, actually. As for these ideas I just revealed, I’m not completely settled on them. I have to see something first, and we’re here.”
Commander Anderson, her father, helped Ayan into the armoured layer of her suit, and checked the cloaking systems. In minutes, they were descending from the Clever Dream on lines, completely invisible. Ayan concentrated on anything but the ground below as she fit her foot into the loop at the bottom of the line and commanded her suit to adhere to the cord. The science of the mechanisms were enough for her to mostly overcome her fear: even if she did fall, her suit could protect her from much higher falls; she was safe.
As they drew closer to the ground she allowed herself to look around and her heart sank.
“Oh my God,” Commander Anderson said to her over the encrypted proximity radio. “I can’t believe people live here.”
Randolph Lalonde - Spinward Fringe Broadcast 08 - Renegades Page 19