by Kal Spriggs
“Garret?” an incredulous voice said from behind him.
Her voice sounded so familiar that Garret felt his throat close up. He turned, her name on his lips, but froze with shock to see a red-headed woman on the porch.
“It is you!” The young woman jumped down and ran over to give him a hug. He stood there awkwardly. “Wow, who would have thought that you would come back.” She released him and stepped back. Something of his confusion must have shown on his face and she grinned at him, “Don't you recognize me?”
“Uh, no?” Garret asked.
“It's Abigail, you know, Jessica's little sister?” She gave a giggle at the surprise on his face. “All grown up, as you can see. It's great to see you! Are you back here to talk to my dad? Hey, dad, guess who's here!” she shouted.
A moment later, Daniel Gordon stepped out of the garage. The old man hadn't changed, he still wore coveralls and had grease stains all over his hands and his bald head shone under the sunlight. “Wow, Garret Penwaithe.” He wiped his hands off on a rag and stepped forward. His tan face creased in a grin as his eyes ranged over Garret, “Joined up with someone, I see. You're wearing civies but your bearing suggests military.”
Garret shrugged uncomfortably. Jessica's father had been something of a mentor for him, especially when Garret had asked questions about military service. “I did a tour with the RLF, then signed on with some mercenary companies. I'm with the War Dogs, now.”
“Wow,” Abigail said, “The War Dogs, that's awesome! I hear they totally trashed the merc goons working for Nova Corp. Were you in that fight?”
Garret felt himself flush. Luckily it didn't show on his dark skin, “Well, yeah, actually.”
“Good fight, from what I hear,” Daniel said. “You go officer?” He grunted at Garret's nod. “Thought you would, but did some time enlisted to see if you could take it.” He spat to the side, “War Dogs are a good bunch.”
“They're heroes,” Abigail said eagerly. The adoration in her voice made Garret's face burn. It didn't help that little Abigail had grown up, really grown up. He told himself he had no business noticing how attractive she'd become. He was ten years older than her and she was the little sister to Jessica, after all. Besides, whatever her age, she looked like she was fifteen. “I hear you guys are helping to train up our new navy and that you're keeping the Colonial Republic and Nova Corp goons from coming back. Do you guys really fly Hammer gunboats? Aren't they, like, fifty years old?”
Garret's embarrassment deepened and the look of amusement on Daniels face didn't help. He ran a hand over his shaven scalp. This wasn't going as expected. He had expected a sullen welcome or possibly even anger at his return. And while the War Dogs had a good reputation, they were still mercenaries. Mercs didn't get used to any kind of praise, much less the gushing attitude from Abigail. “Uh, yeah, I fly a Hammer,” he said, awkwardly, “I'm actually the squadron commander.”
“That's so awesome,” Abigail said eagerly. “Hey, do you have any open slots? I got my certification and I've an application to join the Halcyon Defense Fleet, but there's a huge waiting list. If I could do some time with the War Dogs that would be great!”
Garret coughed, “Uh, maybe?” he looked over at Daniel, expecting to see disapproval, but the old man just gave him a slight smile and nod. “We're not actively recruiting, right now.” Garret said awkwardly.
“Yeah, but I bet you need personnel, especially certified techs,” Abigail said.
Garret bit his tongue on a polite lie. The last thing he wanted was Jessica's little sister involved in the War Dogs. Especially with how idealistic she appeared. Granted, they had people like her, but hell, what if she got killed? He took a deep breath, “Tell you what,” he pulled a card out of his pocket and passed it over, “here's my contact info. Send me your resume and I'll see what I can do.” Hopefully the Commodore would just chuck it.
“Thanks,” Abigail said. “You'll have it before you even get back to Heinlein Base. It's so awesome that you came by to see me and dad!”
Garret coughed, “I, uh, was actually here to see Jessica.” At his words, he saw something pass over Daniel's face, but before the older man could speak, his daughter did.
“Oh,” Abigail frowned. “Why didn't you just swing by your brother's house?”
“What?” Garret asked. He hadn't thought of his older brother in years, other than somewhat absent regret about how his brother seemed bound and determined to follow their in their father's footsteps. “Why would she be there?”
Abigail's face fell. “Uh... seriously, you don't know, do you?”
“Don't know what?” Garret felt confused. He'd been gone ten years, why would she assume he knew what his brother was up to? He looked over at Daniel, but the older man seemed at a momentary loss for words. His gaze went back to Abigail, who stared at him with an expression of shock. “What?”
“Garret...” Daniel started.
“Jessica married your brother, Harris, a few months after you left,” Abigail said.
***
Faraday System
United Colonies
July 16, 2403
Lucius’s troubled dreams ended with the harsh buzzer of an alert.
He sat up and wiped the sleep out of his eyes even as he wished he could scrub the cobwebs out of his brain. “Yes?” He asked as he answered the alert. In the next room, he heard Kaylee start to cry. Well, there goes any chance of sleep, Lucius thought dryly.
“Baron, sorry to interrupt you, but we’ve just had an alien ship arrive in the system.” The duty officer said, her voice calm.
“Balor or Chxor?” Lucius asked, suddenly wide awake.
“Neither, sir. We’ve nothing like it in our records.” The woman cleared her throat, “Sir, they’ve commed us, verbal only, asking to speak with you.”
“I’m on my way to the command center now.”
***
Being both the military leader and nominally the civilian head of the new government on Faraday, Lucius had transferred most of his day to day operations ground-side. The unfortunate consequence of that was that he no longer had only a short walk to the bridge of a ship. Instead, he had to take a ground car to the newly-constructed command center.
It seemed more than a little alien to him still, as he walked quickly down the freshly-painted corridors. He’d served aboard ships so long that he felt far more comfortable aboard the narrow corridors and cramped conditions of a warship.
“Any change in status?” Lucius asked as he stepped into the Faraday Defense Command Center. Admiral Dreyfus appeared on one of the screens, “Baron, we’ve detected no signs of hostility, as yet. The emissions are definitely alien, but we’ve noted some similarities in drive readings to Nova Roma vessels.”
Lucius brought up the data as he took a seat. He frowned at the sleek hull of the battleship. It looked oddly familiar. The sensor readings looked familiar too, though he couldn’t say why. The running estimate from intelligence was that the ship had a similar power output to a Desperado-class battleship, which made it roughly on par with his old ship, the War Shrike.
“Have they said anything more?” Lucius asked.
Captain Trevors, the officer of the watch, spoke from his station, “No, sir, nothing since their request to speak with you.”
Lucius nodded slowly, “Very well, let them know I'm ready to speak.” He waited. A moment later a familiar face appeared on his screen.
“Lucius, it is good to see you again,” Strike Leader Maygar said. The old Ghornath's brown hide showed a pattern of scars from the wounds he still sported at their last encounter.
It took Lucius longer than he’d liked to form a response. “Good morning, Strike Leader Maygar. I must admit you caught me a bit off guard,” Lucius finally said.
The Ghornath’s brown hide flushed the slightest green shade of amusement. “That is unfortunate, yet perhaps fitting, considering how you caught me off guard at our last meeting, Lucius Giovanni.”
&nb
sp; Lucius smiled slightly, “In any case, it is good to see you and your new ship.” The familiarity, Lucius realized, came from the similarities in design to the Gebneyr’s construction. The Ghornath battlecruiser and it’s handful of original crew had doubled Lucius’s firepower when he’d found and recovered the vessel on his first arrival to the Faraday system. “I’m certain there’s an interesting story in its origins.”
“Interesting, indeed. Perhaps we can discuss it at another time,” Maygar answered. “The Ghornath have assisted you with the use of one of our ships. The time has come that we need it and our people returned.”
Lucius nodded, “I understand.” He looked over at Captain Trevors, “Notify Leader Burbeg that he and his ship will be departing soon to rejoin his people.” Lucius frowned, “Recall all of the other Ghornath we’ve got scattered on the other ships.”
He turned to face Strike Leader Maygar, “We’ve picked up around two thousand additional Ghornath refugees and personnel between the liberation of Faraday and a penal work station in the Melcer system. Do you want us to arrange for them to come with you, as well?”
Maygar looked to the side, as if listening to someone's answer. Lucius wondered, briefly, if Fleet Consul Feydeb were the one doing the talking. “Yes. We can arrange for their transportation. I ask that you expedite such operations if possible, Lucius.”
Lucius frowned. The mirror-like silver eyes of the Ghornath gave no hints, and the old alien lacked the impulsive nature that made many of his younger people so easy to read. “Is there a war brewing?”
The Ghornath’s brown hide flushed faintly crimson, as if reminded of something that made him angry. “Not yet.” The alien stared at Lucius as if he wanted to read his mind. “There may come a time… and soon, Lucius Giovanni, that the favor of a loaned battlecruiser must be repaid.”
Lucius nodded, “It’s not something I’ll forget, Strike Leader. Nor the true debt of shame owed to your people over the war with Nova Roma.” Lucius hoped the alien could read the sincerity in his voice. The betrayal of the Ghornath by Nova Roma remained one of humanity’s starkest evils to Lucius. That he’d personally participated in the initial attacks left him to shoulder some of the blame. He felt that way even though he’d had nothing to do with the decision by the Emperor to plunder the alien’s technology.
“Thank you, Lucius. If you don’t mind, I must brief Leader Burbeg, and organize transport for the refugees.” Maygar's brown hide showed the slightest flush of green, which Lucius thought meant pleasure.
“Of course, Strike Leader. Hopefully we’ll speak again soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
***
Halcyon, Garris Major
Independent
July 16, 2403
Garret sat at the table while he sipped at the fresh lemonade made by Martha, Daniel's wife. Daniel had invited him in and in his current state of mind, Garret hadn't been able to find the words to decline. After a long moment, he finally asked, “Let me get this straight. She married my older brother?”
“They started dating right after you left,” Abigail piped up. “There was a lot of gossip about it, too, with how you stormed out of your dad's place after...” she trailed off and shot a look at her father.
Daniel sighed, “The whole thing with him tipping off Nova Corp about the dig site went public right after you left. Your father resigned, but there were a lot of folks who agreed with his decision. We were able to lever Nova Corp against Presidente Salazar to get a little breathing space.”
Garret looked away. He couldn't help a bitter twist to his mouth, “And now Nova Corp is out and President Monaghan is in charge?”
Abigail stood up, “It's not like that at all!”
Daniel sighed, “Things have changed, a bit, since you left. Joe Monaghan isn't working for your father, not anymore. He's actually crossed over to the Restorationist Party.”
Garret just raised an eyebrow.
“Your brother stepped up, after your father resigned. They had a falling out, as well, and your brother backed Joe Monaghan. Jessica is actually an appointee, she works with your brother in organizing our military policy and recruiting allies. The Restorationist Party took over and it was their efforts over the past few years that allowed us to save up enough to hire the War Dogs.”
“And what about Admiral Mannetti? Why is she involved?” Garret asked, with narrow eyes. While he had his own suspicions over the accuracy of Daniel's information, that was more due to how byzantine his father's planning process could be, rather than any distrust of the man.
Daniel looked away, “Are you asking as a mercenary... or as a citizen of Halcyon?”
Garret sighed, “Right now, a little bit of both.” He met the older man's eyes, “You, at least, have to see that she's not exactly good ally material.”
“She isn't,” Daniel said. “But the word is that we've got something that she wants... something she can't take, not without our help.”
“What could be that valuable?” Garret demanded. “The only thing here that valuable was the alien stuff Nova Corp was investigating... and they only ever found the one damaged facility.” He shook his head, “And, I'm sorry, but some archaic tech that might be repaired isn't enough for her.” He looked between Abigail and Daniel for clues. Daniel remained stony faced, but Abigail chewed on her lip and looked like she wanted to talk. “...unless someone found something else.”
“I don't know,” Daniel said, finally, “we've only heard rumors. But Brokenjaw Mountain's been shut down for the past two years. People were very quiet about it, especially while Nova Corp was around. Then, as soon as your folks cleared them out of the sky, there's been a lot of traffic up that way. A brand new road. Construction and excavation equipment. Admiral Mannetti's brought in people, engineers, scientists... they go down that road and none of them come back out.”
Garret shook his head, “This is dangerous.” He thought about the situation for a moment. The old dig site was only thirty miles away from Brokenjaw Mountain, but had been badly damaged by some kind of impact. Brokenjaw Mountain was named for it's distinctive caldera. The massive volcanic plateau around it was a wildlife preserve and refuge and was some of the most rugged terrain on the planet.
Daniel snorted, “Being under that nut job back on Santa Cruz is dangerous. Being subject to Nova Corp and their goons is dangerous. Having a fighting chance? That's just risky.”
“You don't understand,” Garret said sharply. “Admiral Mannetti is easily as calculating and nasty as either of them... and she exists outside the law. She's a pirate, one of the worst, from what I've heard. She's going to try to take whatever it is you people have here and then she's going to loot this place to the ground and maybe just sell the survivors into slavery rather than nuking the place from orbit.” He tried to put every ounce of his sincerity into his voice, yet as he stared at the old man, Garret saw iron resolve on his face.
“We'll deal with her, then, like we've dealt with Amalgamated Worlds, Presidente Salazar, and Nova Corp, ” Daniel said. “But we will have our freedom... or die trying.”
***
Chapter II
Anvil System
Colonial Republic
July 25, 2403
Lauren Kelly followed Mason through the crowded streets. She wondered, absently, if they were still wanted from their last visit here or if that had blown over. Granted, she would bet that Admiral Collae had probably pulled some strings to clear things up.
They were in Port Jita, now, anyway. If she remembered right, each of the towns on Anvil were independent, one reason the planet had such a pirate presence. Four different colonies had been founded here and the three that remained retained rivalry over the system.
Mason stopped outside a large, grim-looking concrete structure. The humidity of Anvil had left stains down the walls and the narrow windows were covered in a green slime that Lauren guessed either survived off the condensation or by eating the plastic coverings. Possibly
both, Lauren thought, it is Anvil, after all. The place looked like a prison and not one of the cushy Nova Roma ones, it looked like one of the Colonial Republic hellholes where the only way out was feet first.
Two men in ill-fitting civilian suits stood outside the broad steel door. Lauren's eyes narrowed at the poorly disguised surgery scars on their faces. From the placement, she would guess some kind of communications implants. One of the men nodded at something that no one else could hear and stepped to the side. “Tommy King, Admiral Collae extends his greetings.”
Mason just stood there and shook his head. “He wants to meet with me in there?”
“What's wrong?” Lauren asked softly. She didn't like the ambiance, she'd admit, but she didn't expect Collae to meet them in a nice hotel much less a military conference room. The rogue Colonial Republic Admiral was on the run from his own people, with a bounty on his head in a number of systems. It might have surprised her that he was here at Anvil, except the system was notorious for lax and corrupt security forces. Granted, if the rumors she'd heard were true, he was hailed as a hero in just as many systems. So who knew?
“This is where Tommy King first broke out of Colonial Republic custody,” Mason said, loud enough for the goons to hear. “It used to be Rota Prison, where the PCRA kept Amalgamated Worlds Prisoners of War... the ones they didn't shoot out of hand.”
One of the goons gave a smile, “Admiral Collae says you passed the first test, Captain King.”
Mason spat to the side. “I'm not here to play games,” he said. He looked over at the other one, “I'm not meeting him here. We're going to go check into a nice place, Admiral Collae's dime. Your boss can come find us there.”