Sheridan’s blood began to boil at the mere mention of Williams’ name. “Sir, I thought the search for Harry had become a task for some secret organization back home.”
“As far as I know, it still is. But they’ve lost contact with their team operating in that region of the disputed zone.”
“Sir, when did they lose contact with them?” asked Cole, looking over the map.
“I’m not one hundred percent sure,” replied Killam. “The armed forces’ Secret Service is not known for being forthcoming with information. It must have really hurt their ego to ask for help from the fleet.”
“So what it is you want us to do, sir?” asked Sheridan.
Killam pointed at the map. “The last known location for the team was on T-9873, which on this map is referred to by its Kurgan designation of Kelazar-3. The Kurgans told me that they used to mine Perlinium there. Now, however, the place is listed as uninhabited.”
“What kind of planet is it?” asked Cole.
“Not a forgiving kind,” replied Killam. “The atmosphere is highly toxic. Without a survival suit, you’d be dead in less than two minutes. The surface is rocky, and hundred-kilometer an hour winds can whip up the sand blocking out the sun for months at a time.”
“The search team wouldn’t have gone there without a good reason,” said Sheridan. “Could the Kurgans be lying to us about the planet being uninhabited?”
“Admiral Sheridan has been assured by Admiral Kaar that it was abandoned more than forty years ago.”
“Smugglers?” said Cole.
“Perhaps. If the mine is still in good repair, they could be clandestinely operating from the planet,” said Killam.
Sheridan nodded. “It’s not the first time we’ve come across an uncharted settlement in the disputed zone.”
Cole looked over at Killam. “Sir, if this planet is claimed by the Kurgans, why don’t they send a ship to see if they can locate the missing team?”
“For one simple reason,” said Killam. “It’s doubtful our people will have heard about the ceasefire. Any Kurgans sent to contact them will most likely be seen as the enemy and fired upon. Admiral Sheridan does not want anything to sour ongoing negotiations. It’s up to us to send some people to find out what happened on Kelazar-3.”
Sheridan studied the map. “Sir, that’s a long jump. Are there any Kurgan forces in the area who may be unaware of the ceasefire agreement?”
“Admiral Kaar says the nearest military outpost is more than a week from the planet. It is highly doubtful that you will run into any Kurgans, but just in case you do, a liaison officer will be going with you.”
Sheridan stood straight up. “Pardon, sir?”
“This isn’t a suggestion, Major. You will take a Kurgan LO with you to Kelazar-3.”
“This is very irregular, sir.”
“Be that as it may, if we want this treaty to take hold you had best get used to working hand in hand with Admiral Kaar’s staff.”
Sheridan tried to suppress the images of frozen bodies hanging from the trees on Derra-5 from his mind. “Yes, sir,” responded Sheridan as if the words were poison in his mouth. A second later, Cole slid in front of him.
“I take it you’ll want your usual flight crew to get you to and from Kelazar-3?” said Killam to Cole.
“That would be greatly appreciated,” replied Cole. “Are we going alone?”
“No, a squad of Marines will be going with you.”
“That should be more than sufficient. Thanks, sir.”
“If there’s nothing else to discuss, you can leave when you’re ready.”
Cole raised a hand. “Sir, there one last thing. Where will we found our LO?”
“I’ll have him meet you at your ship at 1200 hours.”
“That should work. Will you be informing Colonel Wright of the plan?”
“I already did. Captains Pheto and Sullivan are prepping your ship as we speak.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Good luck, gents, and be careful out there,” said Killam as he turned and left the room.
Cole watched the door close. He spun on his heel and looked into Sheridan’s eyes. “Hey, what the hell was that all about?”
Sheridan stared straight ahead.
Cole snapped his fingers next to Sheridan’s head. “Oy, Major, I asked you a question!”
The cloud in Sheridan’s mind lifted. “Sorry, Alan, but the thought of working with a Kurgan threw me for a minute. Making peace with them is one thing, but this really bothers me. You’ve seen what they’re capable of. They’re monsters. They don’t even see us as equals.”
“Well, Admiral Kaar thinks we’re his equal, and he’s the person your father is trying to forge a treaty with. You heard the good captain. Like it or not, we had all best get used to working together. I’m not fond of the idea, but if you think war crimes are restricted to the Kurgans, you’re fooling yourself. I’ve heard of prisoners being ejected into space by our forces. Also, it’s a fact that on Rulusan-Prime the army bulldozed over the trenches of thousands of Chosen soldiers. Don’t forget Harry Williams is running around out there with a genocidal virus which someone on our side helped him steal. So let’s stop being so moralistic and get on with our job.”
“I’m sorry,” said Sheridan, embarrassed by his behavior in front of Killam. “You’re right.”
Cole smiled. “I know. Now, let’s link up with the ladies so I can tell them you lied to them the other day about being required for the parade.”
“Why the hell would you do that?”
“Because they’re not dumb. I’ve heard them talking, and they know one of us is to blame, and I’m not going down in flames for your idea of a practical joke.”
“Coward,” joked Sheridan.
“I think the word you meant to use was pragmatist.”
Chapter 17
“Permission to come aboard,” said Admiral Sheridan, standing on the ramp of Tarina’s shuttle.
Michael smiled, came straight to attention, and saluted his father. “Permission granted, sir.”
Robert returned his son’s compliment before walking inside the ship. “How are the preparations going?”
“Good, I think. First Sergeant Cole is on the other side of the ship inspecting the Marines coming with us to make sure they’re up to snuff. The ladies are going over the last minute jump preps. Unless something comes up, we should be able to depart an hour from now.”
“Sounds good,” said Robert as he took a seat on a crate of supplies.
“Dad, you’ve never come to see me off before, is something wrong?”
“No. I just wanted to personally impress upon you the importance of this mission.”
“Sir, you didn’t have to come down here to say that. Captain Killam made it quite clear how important an assignment this is,” replied Michael, sitting down next to his father.
Robert patted his son on the leg. “Michael, I’m not exaggerating when I say this will set the tone for future Kurgan-human relations. The Kurgan high command knows all about the virus Harry Williams has but are willing to let us take the lead on a mission to a planet they claim as one of their own. Admiral Kaar is risking his reputation and his future in the Kurgan Empire by supporting us as much as he has.”
Michael was beginning to feel more than a bit guilty for his unprofessional behavior earlier in the day. “I guess it’s a matter of trust.”
“Precisely.”
“A Kurgan LO was supposed to be meeting us here. If he isn’t here soon, he’s going to have to remain behind.”
“He’s outside receiving his orders from Admiral Kaar.”
Michael chuckled. “I guess we’re both getting the Gospel read to us by our respective bosses.”
“You could say that.”
“Good day, Admiral,” said Tarina as she walked past with a clipboard in her hand. She was wearing a dark gray flight suit and had two pistols on her belt.
“Good day to you too, Captain,”
replied Robert. “How are things going?”
“I’m just waiting on some spare fuel rods. Once we have those we’re good to go.”
“I’ll see if I can’t rustle some up for you,” said Robert with a wink at Tarina.
“Thanks, sir. I’d love to chat, but Wendy wants to go over her jump calculations one more time on the bridge.”
“I’ll see you when you get back. Please make sure that you look after my son.”
“That’s First Sergeant Cole’s job, but I’ll help out if it’ll put your mind at ease.”
“It would.”
“Then consider it done.”
“Hey, you two, I’m standing right here you know,” protested Michael. “I don’t need anyone to babysit me.”
“Sure you don’t, Major,” said Tarina as she carried on to the cockpit.
Sheridan shook his head. “Dad, have you met the officer Kaar is sending with us?”
“No, but Kaar told me he’s not your typical Kurgan officer.”
“How so?”
“I don’t know. I suppose you’ll find out when you meet him.” With that, the admiral stood up and offered his hand to his son. “Take care, Michael, and make sure you come back to me.”
“I will. I promise,” replied Michael as he shook his father’s hand.
Admiral Sheridan took one last look at his son before walking out onto the hangar floor. A second later, a Kurgan Captain carrying a canvas bag over his shoulder stepped inside the shuttle. The thing that struck Captain Sheridan right away was how short he was compared to other Kurgans. He also seemed less broad in the chest than his contemporaries.
The Kurgan bowed his head slightly. “Major Sheridan, I am Captain Kabar of the Kurgan Empire.” His English was nearly perfect. “I have been directed by Admiral Kaar to act as your liaison officer. Where can I stow my gear?”
“Over there,” replied Sheridan, pointing to a seat next to a window.
“Thank you, sir,” responded Kabar.
Sheridan watched as Kabar packed away his kit and tried to guess what the Kurgan’s profession was.
“Sir, my orders,” said Kabar, holding out a tablet for Sheridan to read.
“I’ll take your word that you’re my LO,” said Sheridan. “Captain, just as a heads-up, you may find things a little different on a human ship than a Kurgan one.”
“Sir, Admiral Kaar made it quite clear to me that I am to follow your orders as if you were a Kurgan officer and assist you any way I can. If you run your vessel in an ill-disciplined manner, then that is how things will be done.”
“Wait a second, I never said we lacked discipline. We know one another intimately, so rank is not as important as it might be when dealing with a company of raw Marine recruits. Do you follow me?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“Good. Now before I introduce you to the rest of the crew, why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
Kabar once again held out his tablet. “Sir, it’s all in here. I re-wrote my transfer orders into English for you to read.”
“Captain, I can read, write, and speak Kurgan. The rest of my team can speak it as well. Some better than others, but they can all get their point across in Kurgan. I don’t want to read your file. I want you to tell me how you ended up here with me.”
“As you can see, I’m not very tall, and I lack the strength to be a combat leader. I am, however, thought by my superiors to be quite smart. I was trained as an intelligence officer. I learned your language in less than a month by interrogating human civilians who had volunteered to become citizens of the empire.”
“Volunteered may not be the best of words to describe what happened to those unfortunate souls,” said Sheridan. “Coerced is probably more accurate.”
“Sir, I’m not here to debate semantics with you. I did my job and did it well, so much so that I was appointed to Admiral Kaar’s staff as his advisor on Terran societal norms. I even made the file he has on you.”
Sheridan frowned. “So you’re the Kurgan who has been studying me. Tell me, Captain, what is written in that file?”
“Sir, it’s not a particularly thick file. The admiral wanted to know more about your father than he did about you. He asked me to research in detail your actions at the prison where you helped defeat a regiment of the Imperial Guard.”
“Why would that be of interest to the admiral?”
“I do not know.”
Sheridan stared into Kabar’s golden eyes. “Make an educated guess.”
“My feeling is that he distrusts certain elements of the Imperial Guard.”
“He can join the club.”
“Sir?”
“Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you take a seat and keep out of the way. We’re going to be heading out shortly. I’ll introduce you to everyone else as soon as we’re on our way to Kelazar-3.”
Kabar bowed and walked back to his seat.
A crooked smile crept across Sheridan’s lips. Admiral Kaar had chosen the ideal junior officer as his LO. With no combat experience, there would be no friction between himself and the members of the shuttle crew. His intelligence and ability to work in English would also go a long way to ease any problems that could possibly arise during the mission. Sheridan re-evaluated his feelings toward Kaar and decided he could pick him up a couple of centimeters.
It was nearing midnight on the ship’s chronometer when Sheridan slid into the co-pilot’s seat and handed Tarina a fresh cup of coffee. He looked over at her and said, “How are you doing?”
“Fine, the ship practically flies itself,” replied Tarina. “I’m really only needed if something goes wrong during the jump.”
Sheridan looked around the instrument-filled cockpit. “Are the two transponders still working as they should?”
“Yes, they are,” said Tarina, patting a pair of metal boxes bolted to the floor next to her seat. One was the vessels own built-in transponder which told friendly ships not to fire on her. The other was a Kurgan transponder which did the same job but on a different frequency. “Trust me, I check them hourly. I don’t want to get blasted into a million pieces any more than you do.”
“How long until we arrive in orbit over Kelazar-3?”
Tarina glanced at her computer screen. “If Wendy’s calculations are correct, and they always are, we should come out of our jump twelve hours, twenty-three minutes, and seventeen seconds from now. How is our Kurgan LO doing?”
“After the initial shock among the Marines wore off, things have been going far smoother than I would have expected. Captain Kabar and Staff Sergeant Johansson, the squad leader, seem to be getting along quite well. Kabar seems intent on picking Johansson’s mind. The Kurgs don’t use as many non-commissioned ranks as we do. They prefer to use lieutenants to do the jobs our senior sergeants do. Kabar is recording everything Johansson says. I suspect he’s going to argue for a reevaluation of Kurgan enlisted personnel ranks when he gets back home.”
“What about Wendy and Alan?”
“They were both fast asleep on some boxes in the cargo hold. I woke them up and told them to get a bite to eat before relieving us on duty.”
“They make a good pair. I just don’t get their relationship.”
Sheridan smiled. “I asked Alan about it once, and he told me they prefer to be good friends and nothing more. His first marriage ended in failure. I don’t think he’ll rush into a new relationship, at least not while the war is on.”
Tarina placed a hand over Sheridan’s left hand. She squeezed it tight and looked deep into his green eyes. “Michael, you know I’ve never brought up our relationship before, but with the war coming to a close, what do you think is in the cards for us?”
“I’d rather we waited until the war was over before having this conversation, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. Before we say anything to one another, we both need to remember that our terms of service run for five years after graduating from the academy. Let’s say they officially end the war a fe
w months from now, we’ll still owe close to two more years of service to the armed forces.”
“I know, but I’d like to hear from you how you feel about us.”
Michael Sheridan took one of his lover’s hands in his and gazed into her warm brown eyes. He had never been more in love. “Tarina Pheto, I know I will never meet another woman like you ever again in my life. When this mission is over, will you marry me?”
Tears filled Tarina’s eyes. “Oh, God, Michael, do you really mean it?”
“Of course I do. We’ll do it on the Intrepid. You can invite your friends from your old squadron to attend the ceremony, and I’ll bring along Alan and my dad.”
Tarina threw her arms around Sheridan and squeezed him tight in her arms. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you, Michael Sheridan.”
“Did I miss something?” asked Cole as he walked into the cockpit.
Tarina let go of Sheridan and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Hey, why the tears?” said Wendy as she joined everyone else.
Cole raised a hand. “Let me guess. Judging by the tears in Captain Pheto’s eyes and the dumb look on the major’s face, I’d say we’re going to a wedding sometime in the future.”
Wendy let out a loud squeal of excitement. “Tarina, is this true?”
“Yes,” replied Tarina, smiling from ear to ear. The two women rushed to embrace each other in the cramped cockpit.
“Normally, I tell my friends they’re making a huge mistake,” said Cole to Sheridan. “But in your case, you’d be stupid not to marry her.”
“Thanks—I think,” said Sheridan.
Cole shook his friend’s hand. “You two are relieved. We’ll see you in eight hours’ time. Try not to be late with our breakfasts.”
“We won’t forget about you. I know how much you love feeding your stomach.”
“A man has to have his passions,” said Cole, patting his trim stomach.
Sheridan and Tarina exited the room and walked out into the quiet hallway.
“Tired?” Sheridan asked.
Insurrection (The Kurgan War Book 6) Page 8