by Don Foxe
“True,” Star added. “Our brother is the lead engineer at a hidden lab. They will have locked down and fortified against incursion. I’m sure they, and others, remain free from the Zenge.”
“I hope,” Coop replied. His beer sat, forgotten. “We also need more intel on the Zenge. We have battle assessments, but everything is based on confrontations in space. We need to see how they operate on the surface.
“We now know the Zenge possess plasma-based weapons,” Coop said. “If they use their mini-mothers on Fell, the way they targeted Rys, they could blow those fortifications open, or completely destroy them. We need to slip in, and recon the Zenge invasion force on Fell. If we can make contact with any of the labs, and secure any advanced technology, that would be a bonus.”
“Mini-mothers?” Elie asked, though others appeared equally curious.
Sky answered for the Captain. “The undesignated Zenge ships look like miniature versions of the mothership that attacked the Star Gazer in Earth’s solar system. The Captain decided to designate them mini-mothers.”
“Speaking of mothers, I understand what mother fucker means,” Storm said, looking at Mags, “but what is yippee-kai-ya?”
After a toast to yippee-kai-ya, mother-fucker, the meeting broke up.
Coop continued to be impressed by the adaptability humans displayed. He observed human members of his crew intermingle with towering, hair-covered Lisza Kaugh. They dealt comfortably with alien crew mates and passengers. If only his race had been as accepting of each other in the previous 100,000 years. His people appeared to accept a galaxy filled with lifeforms holding an array of beliefs and traditions best described as, well, alien. The evolving timeline for his planet had leapt forward in an exceptionally short amount of time. He hoped mankind continued to accept, and adapted to the rapid changes.
He also recognized conflicts, thus far, had been much too easily won. The battle for the Star Gazer, and now the action above Rys, left the enemy badly wounded. Meanwhile, they escaped with minor scratches. That would not last. The Zenge would improve their battle strategies at some point. They used incredible weapons, and sailed capable ships. Surprise had been Coop’s most potent weapon do date. Now he must make damn sure his people did not become overconfident.
They were good. They had also been lucky. He wanted the good to remain, and wanted luck to sit the next few hands out.
CHAPTER 21
“No way in hell I stay behind.” Mary Margaret Moore made her position clear regarding not joining the mission to recon Fell. Not because it promised danger, or offered the chance to visit yet another alien world. Nope, she refused to relinquish her co-pilot’s seat because Elie, and Storm, and Sky were going.
“You’re sleeping with two of them, and the third is your ex-live-in. The four of you are forced together in tight quarters for at least a few days. There is no way I’m missing the show,” Mags told him.
“That puts five of us in cramped quarters,” Coop said, attempting reason.
Elie in a chair, Sky beside Storm on the sofa, and Sky’s sister, Star sitting on another chair, made no effort to intervene, preferring to watch Coop and Mags settle this one by themselves.
Mags stood in front of Coop’s desk, arms folded. “I’ll sleep in my seat,” Mags said. “A chance like this only comes around once in a girl’s lifetime.”
The Captain tried a disparate tack. “Mags, this will be a seriously dangerous mission. This isn’t a weekend romp in space. We need to get into the system unnoticed, sneak across open space, drop through an atmosphere, unseen, and contact Sky and Star’s brother in the northern Crown Mountains. Covertly.”
“I’m sneaky and covert,” Mags said. “There are four of you, and three bunks. That could result in more romping than you expect.”
“Someone will always occupy the pilot’s seat. There is no reason for concern about sleeping arrangements,” Coop said, exasperated.
“Who’s interested in watching people sleep?” she asked. “I want to be there for the awake time. Think of me as the adult chaperone. We don’t want everybody else in this part of the galaxy thinking this is an excuse for you to grab alone time with your three best girls.”
“Instead of three, they’ll see me flying off with four women,” Cooper replied. “How does that look any better?”
“Well, at least you admit it doesn’t look good,” Mags said with a grin. “Give it up, Captain. I’m along on this trip.”
Accepting defeat, Cooper said, “Okay, Mags, you’re the co-pilot. But I do not expect to hear a single word about you acting as a chaperone, before, during, or after this mission.”
Smug from winning, Mags dropped into a lotus position on the floor in front of Elie.
“If we can get back on mission,” Coop said, returning to the subject at hand. “The Fell system is a little more than a parsec from Rys. While it would take weeks by wormhole channels to get there, with space-fold we can do it in a day. A couple of days in the system to accomplish whatever we can, add another day to get clear, and two days back. We are gone five days minimum. Perhaps seven, depending on what we discover.”
“Is this a good time for you to leave?” Elie asked. “We’re beginning the negotiations with King Saharri for the crystals. Maybe Anton is a better choice for the Fell job.”
“I thought about sending Anton,” Coop admitted. “He could handle the ground mission, and I trust you to get from the outer rim to the planet unseen, but we need eyes on the Zenge with more history dealing with them. The four . . . five of us represent the people with the most experience with Zenge hardware, software, and tactics. Elie, you and I are special ops. Sky and Storm know the layout. Mags is Mags.” Before she could object, he added, ”Able to work her way out of any bad situation.” She resettled, content with the compliment.
“Genna is Ship’s Counselor. Admiral Patterson created the position to act as an ambassador for Earth when we made alien contacts. This should be her show, and not having me hovering will be best. She also has Tasha to assist, Manny Hernandez for technical expertise, and the intimidation factors named Gregory, Paré, Kebede and Kimura.
“If negotiations go bad with the King, Anton is tasked with taking the crystals. He needs to remain on site, collecting as much information as possible in case the talks fail.”
He ended the meeting with orders. “Elie and Mags, prep Demon for the mission. We want to go covert, but if we have to fight our way out, have everything ready.”
To Sky and Storm he said, “We’ll need an LZ near your brother’s lab. A place where we can land and conceal Demon. You also need a plan for how you intend to contact him once we arrive. In the event we are unable to reach his location, similar plans for any other labs you know about.”
To everyone present, “Get provisions, side arms, com bracelets and whatever you think we might require for the mission. Meet in three hours in the hangar. If there’s nothing else, let’s go people.”
The four women left via the door to the hallway, passing Genna, Tasha, Tista, Manny and Anton on their way in for meeting number two.
Tasha and Tista took the sofa, Genna the chair, while Manny stood, and Anton leaned against a bulkhead.
“I’ll make this quick,” he assured them. “Elie, Mags, Storm, Sky and I will depart for Fell in three hours." To his credit, Gregory did not make a snide remark, but did try to disguise a smile with a fake cough. Coop continued, “Genna, your job is to get crystals and raw material for Earth. We want enough for two-dozen space-fold arrays. We need raw material to build a minimum of one hundred tachyon cannons, of which fifty will require crystals sized for planetary-based weapons. Any more, for power sources, experimentation, whatever Manny and you can think of, are a welcomed bonus.
“Manny, you provide Genna with the specs for the types of crystals needed. Your people will inspect and approve everything they offer.”
Manny nodded. Genna sat inanimate in her perfect posture, hands in her lap.
“Tasha and Tis
ta,” he addressed the Ventierran. “This is why we asked you to join our mission. I need you to advise Genna throughout the negotiations. This is her first mission as Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy, while you possess a wealth of experience. Make sure she doesn’t step on any toes . . . until she needs to. More importantly, do not let the King take advantage of the fact we are neophytes to trading on a galactic level. Your job is to keep relations civil, and make sure we get the prize. Questions?”
Tasha answered. “No questions, Captain. In the past, my job has been to mediate disputes between races and worlds. I’ve rarely been on one side or the other, but I am assuredly on your side this time. Earth obviously represents the best chance we have of defeating the Zenge. I will assist Counselor Bouvier to the best of my ability. I understand exactly what is at stake.”
“Thank you, Tasha. I hope you continue to stand by Earth, because I am about to read you, and Tista into the classified component of this mission.”
He turned to Anton. “Col. Gregory, while your Marines provide security for our mission, you are tasked with discovering where Rys keeps finished crystals, as well as raw material. Locate the mines producing the types of crystals we need. Manny and Hiro will help. Use any and all resources to learn as much as you can about their operations and security measures. Begin mission planning to take what we require. Do not wait until negotiations bog down, or go south. Go into this thinking the worst. If we do not need force, great. If we do, I want a plan detailing utilization of our strengths, while minimizing casualties. Understand?”
“Crystal,” Gregory said, with no indication it was meant as a pun.
Coop addressed the room. “The Fell trip will last seven days, outside limit. If we are not back in eight, complete the mission, and return to Earth. If we go to force, Genna is Captain of the 109 and Anton controls ground incursions. Do not allow negotiations to lull you into inaction. On day eight, if you do not have an agreement, begin operational force planning. Do not let talks go beyond ten days. That’s your time limit.
God’s speed to us all,” Coop said, ending the meeting, dismissing those present.
He asked Genna to stay.
“You’ve been especially quiet,” he said. “Issues?”
“Same as always,” she said, remaining in her seat. “I prefer the Captain remain aboard the ship. I’m not sure I’m ready to lead the negotiations, or the crew. I wish I had your confidence.”
“Exactly, Genna,” he said to the ship’s avatar, and his friend. “You have my total confidence. Just as important, you have the support of a lot of good people, and the power of the 109 at your back. As for negotiations . . . demonstrate strength and resolve at all times. I know Mags taught you about poker. You hold the winning hand. Don’t let the King bluff you. Even with the tachyon cannon and improvements we already gave Rys, they cannot defeat the Zenge alone. If they are forced to continue holding them off, they will have to forego trade with other worlds. Many of their alliance partners will be destroyed, or too busy fighting for survival to trade. If you have to bluff, believe the bluff. Tell Saharri the cannon we gave them include timed self-destruct orders. Tell him they go boom in ten days.”
Genna peered up at the Captain with a questioning face. “Do they?” she asked.
“Nope, but we’re humans. By definition we do insane crap, like blow up tachyon cannon and steal what we cannot buy. Turn your humanity to an advantage, not a liability. There is one thing humans always do, Genna. We always play to win.”
“You would always rather win, than play fair,” she said, recalling something Storm once said about Cooper.
The Ship’s Counselor stood, walked around the desk, where Coop stood to meet her. She hugged him. “You will return on time, and we will have the crystals stored, and ready for shipment,” she assured him. She left him in a better frame of mind than when he began the first meeting.
“Kennedy,” he said aloud.
“Yes, sir,” the AI responded.
“Take care of them.”
“Yes, sir, Always.”
CHAPTER 22
The six-hour trip to the edge of the Quentle system became a training ride. All five took turns in the pilot and co-pilot’s seats, assuring everyone aboard comfortable and competent with Demon’s flight controls, weapons, operations and communications systems.
Sky practiced with the space-fold array, taking them out of space-fold at the rim, and reengaging for the journey to the Fell system. Being pilot now meant doing nothing. The flight computers would do the work until time for return to natural space. Storm sat in the co-pilot’s seat, an equally unimportant position during space-fold travel, but the ergonomic design made sitting comfortable.
Coop, Elie, and Mags convened at the communal table in the craft’s generous galley. Demon represented a militarized, and more modern version of Coop’s personal favorite space ship, Angel 7. He preferred Angel to Demon. A biased view. He flew every Angel ship constructed, beginning when the first one tested space-fold technology.
“Funny,” he said to the two women seated with him. “When we left MSD, I was worried about males acting as the supervisors for nearly every team on the ship. It hadn’t been a conscious decision. Just blind luck. I selected the best qualified and available without paying attention to age, sex, race, or anything unrelated to performance. When I realized the disparity, I thought it might cause friction. Instead of creating a loss of morale, female crew members have dealt with a majority of our more difficult problems.
“You four, as part of the recon team. Genna and Tasha Korr in charge of negotiations on Rys. Genna is even temporary Captain of the 109.”
“Women don’t care much about titles,” Mags said absently. “We’re more about real power. And control, of course.”
Elie laughed. “That’s the truth. Men need to feel entitled. Women simply need to get the job done, and done right.”
Coop raised his hand. “Man present. A little less disrespect would be appreciated.”
“Is that why you and Elie broke up?” Mags asked. “She didn’t give you enough respect.”
“No,” Coop said. “You’ve been Elie’s second seat for five years. If she hasn’t bothered to tell you, no reason I should.”
“You both should tell us,” this from Storm, her seat turned to better overhear the conversation. Sky turned, and asked, “Tell us what?" Busy studying the heads-up targeting systems, she missed the preamble.
“Coop and Elie should tell us why they broke up,” Storm said. “I distinctly remember, when she and Mags arrived to save Coop and the Star Gazer, she said they once had a good ride.”
Coop said, “Demon did arrive at an opportune time, but we were doing okay.”
“Star Gazer was about to get blasted to smithereens. You were caught between a bunch of Zenge, and a hard place,” Mags said.
“Why did you break up?” Sky asked, getting back on subject.
“Space-fold,” Elie said. “We broke up because Nathan Trent figured out how space-fold engines worked.”
“That makes no sense,” Mags said. “Wait. Coop was the first pilot to experience space-fold travel. Did he come back (she hesitated for dramatic effect) . . . damaged?”
“No,” Elie laughed at her friend’s act. “He wasn’t damaged.”
“Maybe I was,” Coop amended. “I was definitely altered.”
The past few months proved cathartic for Coop. Years as a loner, with a limited number of friends, and a loss of respect for humanity, turned upside down by his relationships with the two girls from Fell.
“We became lovers before the Space Rangers Project was canceled,” Elie said. “At the end, they gave us our choice of military or civilian jobs. Anything. We were going to live a long time, and they wanted to provide for us. And keep us close, in case they needed something. Coop selected Naval flight school.”
“I still wanted to go to space, and everything pointed to the future Space Fleet branch forming based on a naval platform,” Coop
explained. “I figured Navy pilots would have the inside lane on reaching space first.”
“Inside lane?” Storm asked.
“The fastest path,” Elie answered. “By the time the UEC offered us our choice of professions, I knew two things. Daniel Cooper was the smartest survivor I ever met, and I wanted to spend more time with him. I opted for the same route. Half because I thought he was correct about Naval Air offering the quickest way into space, and half because I would be with him.”
“We learned to fly Navy jets. Both eventually selected as test pilots for the latest, greatest planes,” Coop continued. “It wasn’t fair to the other pilots. Our re-engineering made us stronger, faster, quicker. We both had combat experience. We also had each other to work with, and compete against. Anything cutting-edge, we flew it first.”
“Nathan Trent showed up at Alameda Field, where we tested new sub-light engines. Coop and I flew a prototype to Mars and back in record time. While slingshotting around Mars, Coop buzzed the habitat. Scared them near to death,” Elie smiled, remembering the stunt. “Trent was on site at the time. He found out we were the pilots, and looked us up.”
“Not to yell at me for buzzing him, but because he needed test pilots for an advanced engine. He finally reverse engineered space-fold.”
“One year later , Angel 1 flew,” Elie said. “We wrestled for the pilot’s seat. Coop won. That first flight, he discovered the ‘Cooper Effect.’ Sub-light engines produced a sonic force field. A field dense enough to protect the ship. I personally think the ‘Casalobos Effect’ sounds sexier, but a day late and a dollar short, as they say.”
Coop continued the story. “We flew alone and together. We tested everything except space-fold. Angel handled wonderfully. Best plane I ever flew under or over 30,000ft.”
“More importantly, we were happy,” Elie said. “Living together. Sharing everything from a home, to a pet. Exciting, and comfortable at the same time. We remained friends with the other Space Ranger grads. Had parties, bar-be-cues . . . I’ll explain bar-be-cue later, Storm. We even shared vacations. Normal people couldn’t understand what going through the project cost, or what it meant to become nearly super-human. Many were jealous. Jealous we were special, and selected as the first to make space flight, beyond shuttles, a reality. Not everyone was happy for us.”