by Rodney Smith
“While the Moose are a benevolent race, as you know, the K’Rang are not. They are a rat nasty bunch and want nothing to do with humanity. In fact, their standard response to meeting a human ship in space is to immediately annihilate the human ship. No warning, no “get out,” they just blast away.”
“Actually, rat nasty is an inappropriate description of the K’Rang. They’re evolved from a cat-like species. They walk on two legs, but retain many feline traits and characteristics. They have the fur, claws, teeth, and balance of a cat. They can leap three times their own height. They are unbelievably quick. A K’Rang warrior can cover short distances with incredible speed. If they get in close, they can make full use of their claws and fangs. In space they react similarly. They like to get in and duke it out at close range – something we have learned to use to our advantage.”
“After the Capricorn War, which we and the K’Rang fought to a draw, we withdrew back from the frontier, established our mutual sensor and mine fields to provide advanced warning of any incursions, and pretended each other didn’t exist. No armistice or ceasefire – we just withdrew to lick our mutual wounds. Neither side able to gain the advantage. Neither side wanting to provoke the other has existed for quite some time. That situation, unfortunately, has changed.”
“Fourteen months ago, a survey team from Hodgkin’s World, Inc., in Capricorn, flew to examine some not so nearby star systems for human inhabitability. Mark Carter, Hodgkin’s World, Inc. president and CEO, wanted to export some excess population and gain some territory. His survey ship stumbled on a solar system the K’Rang were terra forming. As stupid as it was, Carter mounted an expedition of his own resources to take this world and the K’Rang terra forming technology for his own. Needless to say, K’Rang reinforcements showed up and wiped out the Hodgkin’s World fleet, but not before the Hodgkin’s forces had killed all the K’Rang terra forming party. Fortunately, Mr. Carter paid for his stupidity and perished along with his fleet.”
“The K’Rang stewed for a while and then tried to invade and take New Alexandria in the Scutum sector. Our new transporter gate allowed us to move in a massive fleet and annihilate their invasion force. They are arrayed in a purely defensive posture at this time. We hit them pretty hard and completely by surprise.”
“The K’Rang are no pushovers. They fight well and are fearless in battle. They have good tactics and adapt quickly to battle situations. We lost many ships to them in the Capricorn War. We captured a few of the K’Rang, but no matter what we do, they die in captivity. Our best minds think they just choose to stop living and die. We know more about their physiology than their military or society.”
“We watch them. They watch us. Half our Fleet intel guys say nothing will happen. Half say in the right situation, they will go on the offensive. Either way, we patrol and make sure they know we are there. They do the same thing. The longer this impasse continues, the more we build up the capability to use our transporter gates to quickly reinforce the frontier.”
“Our mission is to find out what the K’Rang are up to. We are not out there to start a war, but, hopefully, to keep one from happening. Keep that in mind as we patrol around the frontier. The buffer zone we and the K’Rang have set up is wide enough so any incursions won’t be a mistake.”
“We also have strict orders pertaining to any confrontation with the K’Rang. This is why I’m having this long chat with you this morning. It’s imperative these orders be followed completely.”
“The K’Rang don’t get to shoot first. Our orders are that we will not engage in any confrontation with the K’Rang unless they are firmly on our side of the buffer zone and we have an overwhelming numerical or tactical advantage. Our leadership wants to make sure we defeat the K’Rang in any engagement. Now, of course, those orders can and have been changed, but for now they stand.”
“Do you have any questions?”
“No, sir, I think I understand. We use overwhelming force or surprise when dealing with the K’Rang. We never intentionally fight from a weak position.”
“Good summation, Exec.”
Yeoman Benitez knocked, was told to come in, and brought Kelly a message to report to CMDR Timmons before he released his crew.
* * * * *
Connie Cortez saw to securing the Vigilant from work ups and helped Chief Blankenship to keep the crew gainfully employed until the Captain returned. She found several inconsistencies in the ship’s wiring, and set up several teams to trace wiring circuits for ship’s systems and correct the ship blueprints to match how things really were. She would have several things to say to the yard boss when she could break free. First, she needed a moment to spin down and retired to her cabin to work on paperwork.
She was exhausted, operating on about four hours sleep in eighteen for the entire cruise. She noticed that the Captain was overlapping the beginning of her watch and Chief Blankenship was overlapping the end of her watch. She changed her routine and overlapped theirs. That didn’t leave a lot of time for sleep. She would have to speak to the Captain about sleep discipline. It wouldn’t do to have the senior leaders suffering from sleep deprivation on a long patrol. Maybe it was just that they were all new in their jobs and things would settle down with more experience in the positions.
Even without the sleep loss, Connie would still have been beat. She had so much to learn. Even with the simulator time she put in, she had never piloted a spacecraft before. When LCDR Blake turned the controls over to her, she couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. She had to admit it was a rush to have all the ship’s power in her hands. The majority of the time, she just roamed the ship and looked for things out of place.
She made a lot of on the spot corrections, like instructing the gunners to always leave their turrets locked facing forward when not actively manning the turrets. This kept the maximum firepower forward if needed in an emergency. She helped Chief Johnson fine-tune the sensors and win his bet with Chief B. She took a turn at cooking and taught Cookie one of her mother’s recipes for fried chicken, which he programmed into the replicators. She spent so much time with Chief Miller learning all the engineering systems that the Captain had to send Chief B to remind her that there were other parts of the ship she needed to learn.
It was a good first cruise for Connie. She looked forward to their mission.
* * * * *
Chief Blankenship had a chiefs’ meeting after the major elements of securing from the work ups were accomplished. She wanted to get a feeling from the chiefs on how their sections had done and what needed to still be improved. She also wanted a sense of how the new XO had done.
Chief Miller led off. “Engineering was in good shape. The new algorithms for the increased speed gave them better stability at all speeds. My section has all started on preparations for their proficiency exams. If there was anything that could be improved on, I don’t know what it could be.”
Chief Johnson was next. “The new XO is all right by me. She is technically proficient and not afraid to say she doesn’t know everything. She was willing to listen to why something she suggested was not a good idea, as long as it was done tactfully and in a manner that increased her knowledge of the ship. She’s smart, but still realizes she has a lot to learn. As far as the section goes, I have a couple of single stripers that are a little hesitant to make a call, but I’ll break them of that by the time we get to our patrol sector. It happens with a lot of the newbies, but you know that.”
Chief Pennypacker said, “Gunnery did well. We have a few that are below the average, but more work with the simulators will fix that. The XO proposed keeping the turrets locked forward when not manned, and did it in such a way she made me think it was my idea. She’s slick. Some of my guys have started on proficiency exam prep, but I’ll get all of them cranking on it on our next patrol.”
Chief Austin followed. “She can cook. I think she’ll do fine as soon as she gets more used to the crew. Remember she was an engineer, not a command track officer. S
he’s used to having a supervisor look over her shoulder. She’ll learn to be more forceful and direct.”
Chief Billings took his turn. “Bridge crew did fine. It was almost funny to watch LT Cortez when the skipper gave her the helm. She was shaking so bad when she first sat down, but she calmed herself and did a good job at helm. She eventually loosened up enough to try some loops and rolls. By the time she finished, she was having fun with it. I have one helmsman that doesn’t yet have that level of comfort. I’ll work with him in the simulator. The rest are good.”
Chief B gave them all some last minute taskings and broke up her meeting.
Chapter Three
Alan Shepler, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Indigo Consortium, considered his company’s financial future. The fire that killed his predecessor had destroyed some of the jewelry production capability in the main building. The remaining production capability in the two outlying buildings was insufficient to pick up any additional output. Unless he could find replacement production capability, he was going to record a very low profit for this year.
There was the flamestone cache on their asteroid 4533 facility near Rigel, but he wasn’t ready to use them yet. He would have to build a new production facility before he could chance using them. He had visions of an exclusive stone and mounting collection with platinum, silver, and gold rings, bracelets, and pendants – all designed to show off the flamestones’ special luminescence.
He wondered if he could re-establish trade with the K’Rang. Yes, he had several liters of flamestones, but who couldn’t use more? When he briefed Mr. Debran as a new vice president, Debran had seemed receptive to the idea of acquiring more flamestones. How could he regain contact with the K’Rang? All the contacts went up in flames when Charles Delphant died in the fire. There must be a way. He was attending the annual jewelry industry convention on Earth next month; perhaps he could put out some discrete feelers.
* * * * *
Irina Bugarov settled into her new office. Her executive assistant, Terri Hawkins, a tall, willowy, pale blonde woman in her late twenties, suggested that while her full glory wall of framed awards, decorations, and mementos from her 32-year career might have been appropriate for the military, it did not befit a new senior executive of a major corporation. Terri picked through her boxes and pulled out a handful of mostly pictures, a few key awards, and Irina’s folded Fighter Force forest green Two-Star Flag. She walked around the room, while Irina watched her curiously. She finally stopped and pointed to the wall behind the desk.
“Your pictures taken with dignitaries go there. That will show your visitors your connections and what you bring to the company. Over there, above the credenza, is where we put your framed flag. I’ll have it put in a walnut frame to match the credenza. Immediately below that, we will put your model of the F-53. On the opposite wall, we’ll put this painting of your old battle group traveling majestically through space. Over here on the entry wall, we will put your highest decoration certificates. The total look will be one of understated, but evident competence, service, and experience.”
Irina stepped into the middle of the room, spun around slowly, looking at each wall in turn, and said, “I like it. Terri, you have a good sense of style. Perhaps you could go shopping with me for a better professional wardrobe? This is just something I had left over from when I would occasionally wear civilian clothes.”
Terri smiled and said, “Of course, General, that’s why I’m here. I know just where to take you for the best look and quality.”
Terri walked to the credenza and retrieved her pocket terminal.
“Ma’am, how do you prefer to be addressed? Do you prefer ma’am or General or something else?”
Irina thought about it for a bit then said, “ General or ma’am will do for now.”
Terri looked at her terminal and said, “Yes, ma’am, your first appointment is in 30 minutes. Your company CEOs will be here for a meet and greet in the executive conference room. Here are their bios. There will be coffee, tea, water, and a small selection of pastries. It’s scheduled for an hour, and there will be no presentations at this time. Over the next five days, they will come in individually and brief you on their operations. They’re scheduled one in the morning and one in the afternoon from tomorrow to Saturday.”
“Excellent,” Irina said. “Now sit down. There are some things I want to let you know, how I want my days organized, and what I will expect from you.”
* * * * *
Andrew and Moira Blake caught the daily shuttle from Gagarin to Armstrong. They hadn’t seen their son since his assumption of command. Moira wanted to see her baby, the newest and youngest ship captain in Scout Force and the Fleet.
Admiral Tom Craddock, Scout Force Commander, received a call from Andrew, asking if it was all right for them to drop in and see their boy. The Admiral could hardly say no to the inventors of FTL communications and the transporter gates. They were also personal friends. He invited them to stay at his quarters if they wanted to make it a longer stay.
LTJG Tammy Nielsen, Kelly’s friend and daily shuttle pilot, messaged to inform him of their departure from Gagarin. She recognized them from having met them at Kelly’s assumption of command ceremony. The Admiral’s call, telling him to come by at 1800 for dinner, followed Tammy’s message. Kelly apologized to the Admiral for his father’s uncharacteristic spur of the moment visit. Admiral Craddock said not to worry, he always enjoyed the Blake’s visits, even if this one was unannounced. He told Kelly to come casual and he would see if he could get Candy down from her mountain aerie for the evening.
Kelly checked his calendar for tonight and tomorrow and found no conflicts. The ship was being loaded for his upcoming patrol, but that would close out well before 1800. He told Chief B and Connie his parents were coming to visit, and he would be having dinner with the Admiral tonight.
Kelly met his parents at the Military Spaceport Operations Building. They were glad to see him, but had something else on their mind. He drove them directly to Admiral Craddock’s house, where the late summer plantings were just as spectacular as those from the early spring. Candy’s mom was a master gardener.
Amy Craddock met the Blakes at the door, warmly greeted them, and showed Andrew and Moira to the guest room. Kelly waited in the den while they got settled. Mrs. Craddock walked into the den and asked if Kelly would care for anything. He politely refused, saying that he just wanted to make sure his parents were all right. He still had to return to the Vigilant and change for dinner. She assured him that they were fine and he should go and change.
He left when the transport arrived and returned to the Vigilant, then showered, shaved, and put on a shirt and slacks that he and Candy had shopped for on the southern continent. At 1720, he left for the Craddock’s house. He arrived a few minutes early and Candy met him at the door. She must have just arrived, as she was still in her pinstriped office suit. Mind, it looked very good on her.
Her face lit up when she saw him. “Kelly, I’m so happy your folks dropped in. I get to see you again. You haven’t been as much fun since you assumed command. Come in. Would you like some wine?”
Kelly took her hand and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’d love some wine, thank you.”
He followed her to the bar and she poured him a glass of their favorite vidal blanc. Kelly took a sip, smiled, and pronounced it excellent. Andrew came up to the bar and asked for a glass as well.
Candy poured him a glass, then kissed Kelly on the cheek and excused herself to change into something more comfortable.
Andrew watched Candy leave almost a little too long and asked, “Are you two getting serious? Your mom sure would be happy if you produced a couple of grandkids any day now.”
Kelly laughed and said, “Okay, Dad, anything to make Mom happy, but don’t you think I should be married first?”
They both broke out laughing.
Moira walked in to find out what all the laughter was about.
“Da
d was trying to get me to produce some grandchildren for you without the encumbrance of a marriage.”
Moira hugged Kelly and said, “You could hurry, you know? We aren’t getting any younger.”
Candy walked back into the room wearing a black silk shirt and a matching set of black silk jeans. The shirt set off her bust and the two undone buttons showed off her impressive cleavage. The pants clung to her legs, emphasizing their length and tone. High heel pumps accentuated the effect. She came over and hung off Kelly’s shoulder, probably to dissuade Andrew from leering. It didn’t work.
They had a lovely dinner punctuated with friendly conversation. Afterwards, Moira and Andrew asked Tom if there was someplace they could speak in private. He directed them into his study. After a few minutes, Admiral Craddock stuck his head out and motioned Kelly in.
Kelly walked in, was motioned to a chair and heard the admiral say, “Moira, repeat what you just told me, please.”
Moira said, “We didn’t come here to see you, Kelly, sorry. We have detected a large espionage cell on Shepard and Gagarin. It’s intertwined into almost all functions on Shepard.”
Admiral Craddock asked, “What makes you think that, Moira?”
She sat up straight and continued, “We knew when we designed the transporter gates that we had something transformational. It would put all other civilizations, especially the K’Rang, at such a strategic, operational, and tactical disadvantage that they would have to steal it. Therefore, we took certain precautions.”
“We designed the gates in three pieces, built in three separate assembly lines. We kept the design sheets to the absolute minimum. We put extra components in the rings that are functional, but excess to needs. We have a controller that uses some components one time and different components the next. If the sequence is wrong or the wrong component is used, the system shuts down and has to be reset by hand with a code available only in a special office in Defense HQ on Earth.”