So it was settled for the women but Panther's crew had different ideas.
“Zak it looks like we have eight life forms in the starboard container. They must be in evac suits and that means the will probably run out of air in the next few days. Not to mention the need to dump their waste containers, They certainly will be dead before we reach our destination. How do you want to proceed.”
“Good work Uhr. I suppose we can't just let them die so what should we do with them”
Zak was not just talking to Uhr but ship-wide. Junes answered.
“We drop them off on the first inhabited planet and notify Mart about it. That is the only obligation we have.”
Hart responded.
“The next planet near our course is a primitive non spacefairning population, that is out and the next is a slaver planet so what choice is that.”
Gina then spoke.
“How about we ask them what they want to do. Since they are from Mart they probably have no idea what the possibilities are. Or maybe they are just criminals and need spacing.”
-9-
Gina had a good point about asking who the stowaways were before determining their fate. Zak, like any captain had sole authority as to what to do, he had spaced a few over the years.
Uhr, can you slowly add air, heat and gravity to that container.”
“Yes captain, how gradual are you talking about.”
“Bring it all up over eight hours and make the gravity one and a half times that of Mart. And make sure the airlocks are secured as we do not want them wandering around the ship.”
So Uhr set about configuring the container's environmental systems and then took the long walk back to engineering. Panther's spine was one long hallway separated by airtight doors and lined with conduits and exterior airlocks. Because of this the fore and aft could be run separately if the ship was blown in half. These were just thoughts Uhr was concerned with for the most part although Gina had expressed in getting involved in some of the spine repairs. For now the big thing for the crew is guessing who the eight in the containers are. Many were making bets but, no one would win. It had been nearly two days longer when Macy started to get extremely concerned. Air would run out soon for four of them and the rest maybe a day more so it was decided to make contact. This had become a foregone conclusion however, the weakness they felt from some gravemetric had them all fearful. No one could account for the heaviness that had fallen on them and found them on the ceiling instead of the floor. Uhr had set the gravity orientation so it would slowly rotate to keep the stowaways disoriented, it was working. Macy was the first to run out of oxygen although her suit indicators said she had plenty. She did not know that the suits she had purchased at a high price were all defective and labeled not for service. As the women had started to 'fall' towards the wall Macy gave up and flipped the latch. What she thought was her last breath she pulled off her helmet. Instead, she felt warmth not cold and out of reflex she sucked in a breath, of sweet filtered air. Realizing she was not dead she opened her eyes, the other women were looking at her in amazement. The rest of the women followed Macy's lead and felt relief. This was short lived as they realized that the crew had to know about them.
“How are our stowaways doing Uhr.”
“Good as far as I can tell captain. One of the life signs started to fade but the recovered so that means they know we are aware of them.”
“Keep an eye on them, we will confront them tomorrow.”
As the women slowly shifted from the wall to the floor with the changing gravity orientation so did their senses. For those that have never been in space the phenomenon of up and down is relative and can be quite disorienting. The entire crew of Panther knew of the plight of the stowaways and were looking forward to the encounter with Uhr and Hart. It was difficult to say who were more shocked, the ones that passed out or the ones screaming when the two stepped in. Of the eight woman there was only one who appeared somewhat calm and not screaming, Macy. Being from Mart none of them had any experience with non humans other than what they saw in books as children. Uhr was a terror to look at at first glance and most humans found grax to be somewhat frightening. Hart was not scary to look at but when he spoke, or chittered they definitely knew he was something else, not that Uhr's scratchy voice helped matters.
“You ladies are in a bit of trouble so once you have recovered and cleaned up the captain will speak with you. You are confined to this space so do not try to go anywhere. Clean clothing is in this box we will leave you and the units water facilities are now operational. Get cleaned up, you stink.”
Macy seemed the only one capable of speech.
“I am Macy, we thank you and look forward to meeting your captain. It will be a couple of hours before we are presentable.”
“Very well, just use the comm by the door of your unit when ready.”
With that they turned and left quickly, the women smelled really bad. Uhr was happy he did not have to use his sidearm or any force with the stowaways, you could never tell. Uhr was always the one to greet newcomers to the ship and took delight at terrifying people so this greet was especially pleasing in a twisted sort of way. Hart was more concerned that some may have injured themselves when they fainted but still, he enjoyed meeting people for the first time. What had to be on the minds of the woman had to be if the entire crew was non-human. On the bridge Zak was still smiling after watching the encounter. Of the crew the few that bet on the fainting factor were all smiling. It was not often that humans actually fainted at the sight of a grax.
“Okay ladies, wake up and start getting cleaned up. What we just saw were a grax and a hegmon, not monsters. We have to be prepared that there are no humans on the crew.”
“I do not care, that thing scares the wits out of me.”
“Did you see the teeth on the other one.”
“That other thing did not even speak commons.”
“Enough ladies, just shut up and get cleaned up. We are lucky to be alive so keep your comments to yourselves and hope the captain doesn't shove us out an airlock.”
While none seemed happy they all followed Macy's instructions. When it was time Zak chose Junes to go with him to confront the women, there were no screams this time. Fear, that is what they saw from the stowaways when they entered. Zak and Junes just stood and looked at them for a minute before Macy spoke.
“You are Cyrillium.”
And you do not belong on my ship. If it had not been for a sharp eyed engineer you would all be dead now.”
Junes added.
“It would have been much easier if you were dead.”
The women from Mart had little knowledge of Cyrillium other than they were the most powerful people in the galaxy. Zak was seven feet tall with Junes just a bit shorter so that alone intimidated the women. Macy, as leader of the group responded.
“We do appreciate that you have let us live. There are so many things that we have been misinformed about. The trip was supposed to be only three days.”
“The trip to Mart Two takes two months or more. Why would you want to go to a prison planet anyway. As you are now criminals it's just as well then.”
“No, Mart Two is supposed to be a neighboring planet for new settlers, not criminals. We had advanced information and wanted to be part of the new free society. These women were pledged to be entertainment and sterilized. We just wanted the freedom to choose and to have children some day. Mart is so crowded that this was to be a new chance for Mart citizens as soon as the core facility was set up.”
Junes laughed.
“You all have been told some big lies by your government. Mart is like many overcrowded planets that start prison planets to get rid of criminals, dissidents and undesirables. This leaves a more compliant population afraid to buck the government's demands and control.. It happens all over the galaxy.”
Silence remained for a minute before Macy asked a question.
“Just how many inhabited worlds are there in this
galaxy.”
Macy now suspected that everything they learned on Mart was a sham.
“There are sixty two known worlds and more being settled every day. You women are clearly not prepared for what is to come on Mart Two so we can give you a choice. There is one free planet that may take you that is on our way to the next destination. You have some time to decide, until then you are confined to this container unit. We will see that food is brought in as well as limited access to our data core. That way you can spend some time learning about all the things that you did not have true access to before. I suggest that you learn about the planet, Girard that is next stop after Mart Two.”
With that Zak and Junes left the container and secured the airlock into Panther.
“You should just drop them off at Mart Two and let them take their chances. They are not your responsibility and is within your rights to just space them.”
Junes was the voice of Cyrillium space law and reason but Zak could not abide by it. The Cyrillium high council had questioned Zak's motives and methods many times in the past, this would just be another one.
“I am sure those women will be well used on Mart Two, you have not been there but I have, it's all males and they are not well behaved. They are what is government there.”
“Sorry Zak, of course you are right. It is just that another delay just pushes our schedule back even further.”
“It will all work out Junes, you worry too much.”
The space station at planet Girard was a busy place. The planet was a great vacation destination as well as good place to live. There was little crime and little government to speak of. The taxes were only imposed to support security operations and the space station. The station had four armed shuttles that patrolled the space around the planet along with an extensive sensor array. Along with this the station had an impressive array of weaponry to thwart any foul play. With no real riches or resources the planets assets were the people and the landscape.
“Max, I am telling you that is a Cyrillium corvette and it is not answering or hails.”
“Calm down Jeb, they can't approach much closer before the station stops them.”
“But what is a Cyrillium warship doing here'”
“Can't be a Cyrillium ship otherwise it would have answered our hails.”
But it was a Cyrillium corvette, an old one that had been decommissioned fifty years prior and went missing. The story went that twenty eight Cyrillium military corvettes due for the scrapyard had gone missing. This had to be one of them, Gus was sure. He would have to wait till the end of patrol to find out more. Captain Pike, of that corvette was a privateer of questionable ethics. His crew was long overdue for some time on planet to unwind and recharge. Pike feared that his crew might get a little rambunctious for the peaceful planet. After docking and making arrangements for the crew he ordered.
“No guns or weapons of any sort, just relax and enjoy. There are no women and no gambling or any sort of vice here either.”
There was a lot of grumbling.
“It will be a long time before we have another stop so please behave.”
It had been seven months since their last stop, things aboard had started to get bad. Bad attitudes, bad hygiene and many fights. The last cruise ship they had robbed had yielded good money and entertainment. Pike's ship was one of the missing old Cyrillium corvettes, still armed to the teeth. Despite being seventy plus years old it still outperformed most civilian ships. Pike had a reputation as a gentleman pirate as he seldom killed people intentionally. He just wanted their money, valuables or ships. Pikes crew were not always as nice as their captain. Now they were headed planet-side while Pike remained on the ship arranging for fuel and supplies. Girard station had reasonable prices and everyone was friendly. That was until the station master came to his dock with Gus in tow.
“Captain Pike, I am stationmaster Paul and this is Gus. Have your needs been taken care of so far.”
“Yes things have been good and hope it will remain that way throughout our stay.”
“About that we sure hope so too. But why we are here because we are curious about your ship.”
Captain Pike had been asked that question many times over the years and his answer was always the same.
“I inherited the ship from my grandfather who purchased it from a surplus auction and yes, it is a decommissioned Cyrillium vessel. I have full documentation from Cyrillium military command, would you like to see it.”
Before Paul could stop him Gus spoke.
“So all the laser canon and missile launchers have been disabled.”
“Of course, is there anything else you want to ask.”
Paul responded.
“No, that is all for now, enjoy your stay on our planet.”
As they walked away Gus said to Paul.
“There is no such thing as documentation, all those ships were to be scrapped. Twenty eight were decommissioned and then disappeared this has to be one of them.”
“Do not say anything else to anyone Gus, I will contact Cyrillium command.”
Pikes crew had gone down to the planet in a first class shuttle and now were just getting into the isolated cabins of a resort set on a cool mountain lake. So much of Girard was forested, lakes and streams. It was quiet, peaceful and temperate, one visit and many wanted to come back. Pike hoped his crew would find it so. Girard had all the latest technology but it was discreetly hidden away making the place look almost primitive. Even the ground transportation was ancient looking wheeled vehicles.
The stowaways on Panther had been looking at the data on the planet Girard and looked forward to have the opportunity to live there. Jobs were available and this would be critical to them being accepted there. Only one was reluctant, Melissa, who would rather be a navigator. She was a quiet one who seemed to enjoy being on a spaceship. It took a certain type of person to work in space where long stretches of boredom could be replaced by minutes of shear terror. Marissa had spent some time studying star charts and navigation. She had looked at being on one of the shuttle crews to start. The rest of the women looked to jobs that they could already qualify for. Now they were all sharing a very small space in between airtight doors in the spine since the containers had been delivered. They were all recovering from the drop off of the ten containers. Panther stayed in orbit of Mart Two only to sign off delivery and collect the fees. The duration to planet Girard would pass without incident.
-10-
For the crew of captain Pike's ship there was an incident. Two of the crew had assaulted a woman and now one was dead and the rest of the crew were escorted back to their ship at gunpoint. Girard was a peaceful planet and they kept it that way with extreme force at times. Pike was forced to pay a steep fine and his ship was banned from planet Girard. In Pikes favor, when the comm came back from Cyrillium command he had already left. With no idea where the stolen Cyrillium corvette had gone nothing could be done about the fifty year old mystery. Never one to miss an opportunity Pike was laying in wait for a ship that had come on long range scan. He needed to replace the funds he paid out for his crew at Girard. Maneuvering into a small asteroid field and powering down non-essential systems they laid in wait for what looked like a small transport. Not wanting to use active scan in case of detection. Better to wait and then greet the ship with two missiles. These missiles were low yield designed to terrorize and not damage a ship, a common pirate trick. Then they would hail the ship to power down and be prepared to be boarded. Nine times out of ten this worked as the corvette was bristling with armament and the victim realized there was no chance. As that victim ship came in range they saw it was an old container ship with no containers, an easy mark. Unfortunately they would have to take and sell the ship to come out ahead still it was worth the effort. Captain Pike gave the order to fire.
Junes was at the helm of Panther when the warning came. The bridge crew had been half dozing and missed the early warning signs.
“Shi.....battle station
s, taking evasive maneuvers.”
Junes took the ship to full power and rolled her over, narrowly evading the two missiles heading at them. The crew was disoriented and those not secured were tossed around as the dampers could not keep up with the extreme maneuvers. Then the hail came in.
“This is captain Pike, power down and be prepared to be boarded. I can assure you the next missiles will not miss.”
Just then Zak stumbled onto the bridge.
“Do not respond. Fire four smart missiles, max load.”
The radar operator added.
“That's a Cyrillium corvette, old model but fully armed.”
Junes ordered.
“Missiles away, we can't outrun this one Zak, we have to get behind it to take it out.”
Zak strapped in.
“Do what you have to do it's your ship.”
“Incoming, full spread, fire countermeasure and continue evasive.”
Pike was amazed.
“Since when does an antique like that have missiles, drop countermeasures.”
Now the pirates were at a disadvantage despite having superior firepower. Junes and Zak had far more experience than Pike. Pike ordered.
“Fire another spread, kill that ship.”
Instead of Panther moving away Junes was going head on at it and accelerating.
“Gutsy move Junes, how soon till canon range.”
“Five minutes, another minute before they can get another spread off. Brace yourselves.”
Zak added.
“On my mark launch eight smart missiles locked on engines and fire lasers.”
The crew was in total sync and understood the pressure of going against a superior force. On board Pike's ship there was kayos, no one was sure what to do, no one resisted like this.
“Are they crazy, there coming right at us. First volley missed entirely second will impact in thirty seconds, how can they move so fast.”
But Pike knew, he realized he was up against Panther, a ship with a big reputation.
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