Ep.#5 - Balance (The Frontiers Saga - Part 2: Rogue Castes)

by Ryk Brown

  “How often?” Nathan asked.

  “Someone is injured at least once per event,” Ito admitted. “And at least every third or fourth race, someone dies.”

  “That’s crazy!” Jessica exclaimed.

  “That’s war,” Jana said, brushing it off with ease.

  “No, it’s not war,” Jessica disagreed. “It’s a race. A competition.”

  “The Gunyoki code states that all of life has risks,” Ito explained. “One simply chooses which risks they wish to take. How we face those risks is what defines us.”

  “Then why aren’t you out there risking your life?” Jessica challenged.

  “I am not a Gunyoki,” Ito replied. “The Rakuen people have incredible respect for the Gunyoki. They once put their lives and their fortunes on the line to defend our world. The competitors of today honor the original Gunyoki warriors by facing similar risks.”

  “No disrespect intended, Mister Yokimah,” Nathan said, “but having experienced the horrors of war firsthand myself, I’m not sure the original Gunyoki warriors would be honored by the glorification of war as a means of turning a profit.”

  “Our ways may seem unusual to you, Captain, but the Gunyoki are integral to our society. They not only speak to longstanding traditions, but they also serve as a training ground for our military defenses. You see, the Gunyoki racers are our frontline defenses. Not only has the presence of the Gunyoki prevented a renewal of hostilities between Rakuen and Neramese, but they have discouraged the very threats that have plagued neighboring systems for more than a century.”

  “They are your only defenses?” Nathan inquired.

  “We need no other,” Ito assured him.

  “No warships. Frigates, destroyers, battleships…”

  “Big ships, with lots of guns,” Jessica added.

  “The Gunyoki fighters are quite formidable,” Ito assured them. “A handful of them could easily destroy a much larger warship, if need be.”

  Nathan looked out the windows, as several of the Gunyoki fighters rose from their hangar bays and began to climb out to prepare for the next heat. They were rugged, aggressive-looking ships, to be sure. With twin plasma torpedo cannons on the front of their two engine nacelles and large missile pods fixed under their wings on either side of their fuselage, they were well-armed. But they were no match for Dusahn warships, unless…

  Nathan turned back to Mister Yokimah. “Are the Gunyoki fighters equipped with jump drives?”

  “It is not the Gunyoki way,” Mister Yokimah replied. “Besides, doing so would give them offensive capabilities, which would complicate relations with neighboring systems.”

  “I see.” Nathan sighed. “Mister Yokimah, are you not concerned about the Dusahn presence in the Pentaurus cluster?”

  “We do very little business in the Pentaurus sector,” Ito replied. “The Takarans have dominated that market for as long as I can remember.”

  “I was referring to the military threat the Dusahn pose.”

  “We are not ignorant of what is going on outside the Rogen sector,” Mister Yokimah insisted. “It is my understanding that the Dusahn have not yet expanded beyond the cluster and are unlikely to do so for some time, if at all.”

  “May I ask how you came to that conclusion?” Jessica wondered.

  “Simple logic, really,” Ito replied. “The Pentaurus cluster is the technological, industrial, and economic hub of the entire sector. But once you travel beyond the cluster, levels of those elements decline rapidly. If the Dusahn are seeking to strengthen their empire and expand their forces, logic dictates that they maintain their focus on that which offers the most reward, which is, of course, the Pentaurus cluster.”

  “My experience with the Jung is that they are driven by pride and a sense of entitlement that gives them the right to do whatever is necessary to fulfill what they believe to be their destiny. It is the rare occasion that the Jung let logic dictate their actions.”

  “But the Dusahn are not the Jung,” Ito pointed out.

  “We believe them to be a rogue caste of the Jung, exiled centuries ago,” Nathan explained. “We have seen little difference between the two.”

  “Yet, thus far, we have seen them take logical steps to achieve their goals,” Ito argued.

  “Logical steps?” Jessica challenged. “Including the glassing of two worlds?”

  “Worlds the Dusahn felt posed significant threat to their empire,” Ito replied.

  “What?” Jessica was outraged.

  “Do not misunderstand my position,” Ito insisted. “I do not approve of the Dusahn’s actions. I am merely asserting that they are logical, from their perspective.”

  “I hope you’re correct,” Nathan said, “for the sake of Rakuen. Because if they come, they will kill millions of your people, if for no other reason than to send a clear message that they are not to be disobeyed by those they conquer.”

  “I assure you, Captain, that if the Dusahn show the slightest hint of expansion, the Rakuen will take whatever steps are necessary to defend ourselves.”

  “Assuming there is a hint,” Jessica commented, not quite under her breath.

  Jessica’s remark did not go unnoticed by their host. He scoffed. “What would you have us do, Miss Nash? Devote our entire economy to a rapid military buildup on the off chance that the Dusahn will take interest in our system? Would not such a buildup run the risk of attracting the Dusahn’s attention?”

  “I thought the Rakuen people were all about risk,” Jessica remarked sarcastically.

  Nathan cast a disapproving glance Jessica’s way.

  “Please, Ito,” Jana urged. “All this talk of war is depressing. We’re here to enjoy the races.”

  “Of course, my dear,” Ito replied. “Of course.” He turned back to Nathan. “Forgive me, Captain. I did not mean to become adversarial. I guess I have a bit more Gunyoki blood in me than I realized.”

  “It’s quite alright,” Nathan assured him. “We did not mean to intrude on your day. So, if you’ll excuse us…”

  “Are you sure, Captain?” Ito said. “You are most welcome to stay. I can even introduce you to some of our pilots later.”

  “A generous offer,” Nathan replied, “but I’m afraid our time is limited and we must rejoin the others in our group.”

  “Well, it was a genuine honor meeting you, Captain Scott. I cannot wait to tell my children that Na-Tan was in our midst this day.”

  “The honor was all mine, Mister Yokimah.”

  “If you ever return to Rakuen, and have a bit more time, please do call us,” Jana insisted. “You really must see the entire event at least once in your lifetime. There is nothing quite like it.”

  “Of that I am sure,” Nathan agreed. “I will make certain to take you up on your generosity on our next visit.” Nathan nodded politely, stepping away from the group.

  Once out of earshot, Jessica spoke up. “Why did we leave? We never even got to talk about the rebellion.”

  “You heard him. They don’t yet perceive the Dusahn as a threat. And nothing we say is going to change his mind.”

  “We didn’t even try,” Jessica argued.

  “I’ve seen his type before. Fifty credits says that guy holds a public office on Rakuen, or is planning on running for one soon.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “I grew up around people like that, remember? I can smell them a kilometer away… Upwind.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Really?” Robert queried loudly as he approached the end of the dock. “Last time, we at least got to eat and have a few beers.”

  “I’ve been looking forward to a day of sailing for weeks now,” Gil told him. “I’m not going to give it up just because you decided to bug me again.”

  Robert s
tepped onto the twelve-meter sloop, grabbing the side rail to steady himself. It had been decades since he had set foot on a water-going vessel of any kind, let alone a sailboat, but he had grown up in a beach town and most of his free time had been spent in, on, or around water, so he regained his balance almost immediately.

  “Are you sure this thing floats?” he jeered as he stepped down into the stern cockpit.

  “Damn thing spent the last three months in dry dock getting overhauled,” Gil replied. “She’s about as seaworthy as she’s ever going to get.”

  “Not exactly a ringing endorsement,” Robert said.

  “Shut up and cast off the bowline,” Gil instructed. “I want to get a few hours in before the wind peters out.”

  “Aye, skipper,” Robert replied, as he stepped up onto the port side and back onto the dock. He quickly untied the bowline, tossing it across onto the foredeck and then stepped back over onto the small ship as it began to drift away from the dock.

  Gil increased the throttle slightly and the boat’s electric motor pushed it slowly and silently forward through the still marina waters.

  Robert neatly coiled the bowline up, just as he had been taught as a boy, and stored it in the forward locker before returning to the stern cockpit.

  “As soon as we clear the breakwater, we’ll set sail to the east on a starboard tack,” Gil instructed.

  “You think I don’t know what that means, don’t you?” Robert said as he sat on the edge of the cockpit.

  “I know damn well you know what that means,” Gil replied.

  Both men sat in relative silence as Gil guided the boat through the marina, exchanging only common pleasantries about the weather, Gil’s girlfriend, and the usual complaints that men in the military shared when in one another’s company.

  Once clear of the breakwater, Robert raised and trimmed the sails, hearing only a few complaints from Gil. Twenty minutes later, they were a good distance from the marina in wide open waters.

  “So, when can we talk?” Robert asked.

  “I thought we already were?” Gil replied. “Wanna sandwich?”

  “Sure,” Robert replied, taking the paper-wrapped sandwich offered to him. “And you know what I meant.”

  Gil looked up, scanning the sky around them. He looked out across the water, his gaze moving slowly around their perimeter. He listened for a moment at the sound of the water lapping against the hull, then stood up and moved to the front of the cockpit.

  “What are you doing?” Robert asked as Gil started loosening one of the lines. “That sail was trimmed perfectly.”

  Gil continued to add slack to the line.

  “Now you’re just luffing,” Robert objected as the sail began to beat rapidly in the window.

  “I’m making noise,” Gil said. “You never know who is listening in.”

  “We’re at least ten clicks from shore, Gil.”

  “Yup, and we’re just two old COs doing a piss-poor job of sailing. Nothing suspicious here.” Gil moved aft and sat back down by the wheel. “So, what’s the latest?” he asked. “Scott liberate the Pentaurus cluster yet?” He reached into the cooler and pulled out two beers, offering one to his guest.

  Robert moved closer, taking the bottle from Gil and opening it. “They’ve collected a few more ships, mostly freighters. Oh, and a luxury cruise ship.”

  “What, is he planning on taking a vacation, or something?”

  “I think they’re using it for personnel housing and support.”

  “But that’s not why you’re here, is it?” Gil surmised.

  “Hardly.” Robert took a drink of his beer and gazed out across the water for a moment. “They want us to help them steal some gunships, Gil.”

  Gil Roselle nearly spit out his beer. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “I wish.”

  Gil thought for a moment. “Makes sense, I guess. It seems unlikely that they could get something bigger, and unlimited strike range is more important than firepower at this point.”

  “That’s what Telles said.”

  “Assuming it can be done, how many do they want to grab?”

  “They didn’t specify a number,” Robert replied. “Just ‘as many as possible’.”

  “Jesus,” Gil sighed. He took another drink of his beer.

  “So, is it even possible?”

  Gil looked at him. “You’re talking about stealing Alliance gunships, Robert. Gunships. Not handguns or meal kits, or something. Fucking gunships. I’m pretty sure they’d throw you in a really deep hole and let you rot for that one.”

  “Actually, I checked. It would be treason and we’d probably be executed.”

  Gil took another long drink, finishing his beer. “We’re going to need a lot more of these,” he said as he opened up the cooler and pulled out another bottle.

  “So, is it possible?”

  “I don’t know,” Gil said. “You’d have to do it a day or two before a batch launch, to make sure there were enough of them there to be worth the risk. And you’d need flight crews.”

  “Cobras can be flown by one pilot,” Robert corrected.

  “One good pilot,” Gil countered. “One who knows the ship well. How many pilots do you think Scott has who fit that bill?”

  “Two, as far as I know.” Robert looked at Gil.

  Gil’s eyes widened. “You just keep pulling me in deeper and deeper, don’t you?”

  “Come on, Gil. You want to stick it to Galiardi as much as I do. What better way than to desert and steal a bunch of gunships on the way out?”

  “I’d rather punch the old bastard in the snout and resign,” Gil said. “More satisfying, and it wouldn’t involve my execution.”

  “Isn’t this more honorable?”

  “Following Scott on another quest to save humanity…” Gil took yet another long drink. “You know you’ve pretty much screwed me already, right?”

  “You can always say no.”

  “But you’ll do it anyway. Then Galiardi’s henchmen will investigate, find out that I knew about the whole thing and didn’t warn them, and I’ll fry anyway. But you already figured all that out, didn’t you?”

  Robert tried not to smile as he also took a long drink.

  “Well, luckily for you, I just happen to be the CO of the very ship tasked with providing security for all Alliance assets in the Tau Ceti system, including the Cobra gunship production facility on Kohara.”

  “You don’t say.”

  Gil sneered. “You and your kid sister are a lot alike, you know that?”

  “Then you’re in?”

  Gil looked at him again. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”

  “No insult intended, my friend, but I kind of have to.”

  Gil sighed. “Yeah, I’m in.” He finished off his third bottle and reached for another. “How long do we have?”

  “A week, maybe more. They’re departing for Sol as soon as I respond to them. They have something to do on Earth first.”

  “Better make it a week,” Gil said. “Cuz there’s twenty birds in the yard that will be launched on the twentieth. If they don’t do it by then, they’ll have to wait a few months before there will be another batch ready to go.”

  “That doesn’t give us much time.”

  “No, it doesn’t.” Gil cracked open his fourth beer. “What do they need to do on Earth?” he wondered.

  “They plan to smuggle Doctor Sorenson and her family out of Special Projects and take them back to the Pentaurus sector with them,” Robert explained.

  Gil shook his head. “And it just keeps getting better.”

  * * *

  Nathan, Jessica, and the others walked onto pad eighteen toward the Seiiki. As they headed up the
cargo ramp, Nathan spotted the numerous crates that had been loaded into the bay.

  “I take it Deliza was successful,” Nathan surmised.

  “I sure was,” Deliza said, stepping out from behind one of the larger crates. “I got everything we need to fix my shuttle and a few extra parts, for luck.”

  “Did you reach an agreement with the plant manager?” Jessica asked.

  “Yes. The first ship should be ready in about a week.”

  “And you set up the shell company?” Nathan checked.

  “As we discussed,” Deliza assured him. “I even rented office space and an answering service to take messages. For all intents and purposes, The Haxel Group is a new interstellar import/export business dealing in gourmet consumables, complete with their own shipping services.”

  “Sounds like an expensive operation,” Jessica commented.

  “Not at all,” Deliza explained. “The most expensive items are the shuttle purchases, and that cost is just moving credits from one Ranni account to another, so they’re free.”

  “Why gourmet consumables?” Vladimir wondered.

  “We have to eat, don’t we?” Deliza replied.

  “Yeah, but gourmet?” Nathan said, skeptically.

  “One man’s molo is another man’s gourmet meal,” Deliza pointed out.

  “Oh God, please,” Jessica exclaimed, heading toward the forward ladder.

  “We good to go?” Nathan asked Marcus.

  “Cargo is secure and everyone’s aboard, Cap’n,” Marcus replied.

  “Good. Close her up,” Nathan instructed.

  “Aye, sir.”

  Nathan turned back toward Josh and Loki, walking backwards as he spoke. “Get us in the air as soon as possible. I want to get back to the Aurora.”

  “You got it,” Josh replied.

  “Level three evasion protocols?” Loki asked.

  “That should do it,” Nathan replied, heading up the forward ladder behind Jessica. He reached the top of the ladder as Jessica stepped through the hatch ahead of him. “Jess, hold up,” he called, stepping through the hatch behind her.