by Kal Spriggs
Garret straightened, “Sir, I'd like to protest some of the... additions to my crews.”
“You're talking about the girl, Abigail Gordon?” The Commodore said.
“She's just an idealistic youngster, sir,” Garret said. “Hell, she thinks we're some sort of selfless defenders of Halcyon.”
“You're worried because you know her family and you don't necessarily trust yourself to keep her alive,” Commodore Pierce said. He snorted, “She tested out damned well on the auxiliary position on a Hammer. Hell, given a bit more training you might put her in as a pilot.”
“I don't want to get her killed, sir,” Garret said. For that matter, he didn't want to be around her. She was too happy, too eager to please, and she looked at him with hero worship that made him feel uncomfortable.
“Then don't get her killed,” Commodore Pierce said. “We've recruited a number of personnel from Halcyon. I want them integrated in all parts of our force. That gets us a certain level of loyalty from our employers, it's their sons and daughters serving with us, after all. It also means fewer of our people will grumble about the risks we're taking, especially when the man or woman in the cockpit with them is from this planet.”
Garret's eyebrows went up, “You think the risks are getting bigger, sir?”
“I know they are,” the Commodore said. “That list of scum brought in by Admiral Mannetti tells me that. Heinlein Base will be overwhelmed soon with ships refitting. That's why I'm happy enough with our position here while we conduct repairs and upgrades and train up your new ships.”
“Very well, sir,” Garret said. He suddenly remembered the message that Captain Gizmon asked him to pass on, “Oh, we've got some traffic from down below, probably something to do with those new recruits. They want you down there for a discussion with Counselor Penwaithe.”
“Fine,” Commodore Pierce's lips twisted with derision. “I'll go.” His eyes narrowed then, “And you're coming with me.”
“What?” Garret asked. He felt his stomach fall at what that meant.
“The Counselor is your old girlfriend, you might be able to get some more from her than me and you sure as hell might have a better chance talking to her about some of these recruits of hers... particularly that bastard Stavros.”
Garret opened his mouth to argue, but the Commodore gave him a stern look and he shut his mouth instead. Last thing I want is to talk to her, he thought. He hadn't quite told the truth when he said he hadn't spoken with her. She had actually sent him a nasty message about 'dragooning' her little sister into the War Dogs. He gathered her opinion of him wasn't going to be much higher, if at all, than that of Stavros. Still, it wasn't like he'd gone off and married her sibling, now was it?
He snorted at that idea. Still, he hoped his brother wasn't there for the meeting, he wasn't sure if he could handle talking to the both of them at the same time.
***
Faraday System
United Colonies
October 7, 2403
“Mister Noguchi, thank you for your patience,” Kate said as she welcomed the Shogun's Envoy.
“Despite my reputation,” he responded, “I am well-versed in patience.” He smirked a bit, “But, as I understand, the past couple days have been very eventful, what with your leader's father coming back from the dead, not just once, but twice.”
Kate's eyes narrowed. For him to have access to the information on the second Marius Giovanni meant he had a very senior informant indeed. That he offered her that information meant that his patience was not unlimited. It was a bit of a challenge or even a mild rebuke, which in the realm of diplomacy meant that the Shogun wanted an answer. “Well, thankfully, that should have relatively little bearing on our own arrangements...”
“But it will, unfortunately,” he said. “The Shogun has informed me that our offer will be nullified should you accept an offer from either Shadow Lord Imperious or President Spiridon. Indeed, he considers the very idea a threat to any alliance or partnership.”
Kate sat back, “I see.” The obvious statement that they didn't plan to accept either offer was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it would assure the Shogun that they would view him as an important ally, but it would also give the Shogun that information to use against them... such as to torpedo any talks they had between the two powers and the United Colonies. In fact, Kate thought, depending on how they released that information, it could lead to war with the Centauri Confederation or a profound insult to Imperious, which would amount to the same thing.
“How about this?” Kate asked. “Let us discuss what our nation is willing to do, without consideration of either of those two powers. You can run that past the Shogun and should he accept that, then we could continue our discussion.” Kate watched the short, Asian man for a long moment. He showed no outward emotion. In fact, to include the Centauri Confederation envoy, he was the most professional when it came time to deliberation and discussion.
When he finally spoke, Kate could tell he chose every word with care, “I will hear your proposal and relay that. We can agree to discuss these other terms at another time.” The care he chose suggested that he didn't want to suggest that the Shogun was still open to their earlier discussion... but he also didn't want to say that he wasn't. Even with an ansible, it was sometimes difficult for a representative so far from home to get a good feel for what their nations wanted. Kate didn't envy him his job.
“Very well,” Kate said. “Baron Giovanni, Minister of Trade Nguyen, and myself have discussed your initial proposal. Given our current resources, we believe we could build a class of frigates for export sale to the Shogunate. These ships would include military drives, sensors, and weapons. We could begin construction in as little as three months and deliver the first of them within a year.”
Mike Noguchi's eyebrows went up. “Frigates are... substantially smaller than we originally planned.” Yet there was an edge of excitement in his voice.
“These ships will easily exceed the firepower of a Forerunner-class destroyer. They'll be a match for anything their size built by the Centauri Confederation.” Kate didn't really know much about the specifics, only that the Baron had run the idea past his old engineer and this was the result. They had, thankfully, given her some talking points. “These ships will also be relatively cheap, comparatively. And, from what I understand, given the right incentives, we may be able to train your personnel on how to build some under contract there in the Shogunate with technology that we can sell you. I can have my people send you the ship specifications, if you'd like.”
“Very interesting,” Mike answered. She could see the idea of equipment and technology transfer had him hooked. “I'm assuming that in return you would want a formalized alliance.”
“A formalized alliance would be the least we could expect,” Kate answered. “We would, essentially, be giving you the turnkey to produce your own ships. I would imagine that would come in very handy should the Shogunate declare its independence from the Colonial Republic.”
His eyes narrowed. “It would, should that eventuality come to pass,” Mike said. “But that is something for another discussion, perhaps not at all depending upon how your discussions with the Centauri Confederation turn out.”
Kate gave him a nod. “Understood. But I will await the Shogun and the Emperor's final determination on the value of what we offer and I hope they will wait just as patiently to hear what we decide in regards to our other friends.” She put just enough emphasis upon the last word to suggest how she felt about a potential alliance with either. A flash in his eyes suggested he had caught that.
It wasn't an open statement, but it was enough of a suggestion that he could take it back to the Shogun with a reasonable assumption of accuracy.
“Thank you, Madame Foreign Minister,” Mike said. “I'll keep that in mind.”
***
Halcyon Colony, Garris Major System
Independent
October 7, 2403
Lauren
Kelly stretched a bit as she waited with Mason in the government offices. They looked something like a vision of hell, with endless rows of cubicles and people hunched over their computers. Mason hadn't asked her any questions when he found her waiting for him at the spaceport, nor had he so much as raised an eyebrow at Kandergain taking the shuttle back up. Lauren still wasn't sure what she was going to tell him about the night's adventures, though at least she had a change of clothes in her duffel and didn't look ready to murder everyone in the offices. Though, she thought, I'd probably be doing them a favor if I was.
She looked up as Mason swore. “What's wrong?” She followed his gaze to where a tall, muscular blonde man in a brown uniform had just stepped into the offices. He was followed by another tall, black man in a similar uniform. Got to be something in the water here, she thought, everyone is so damned tall.
“That's Commodore Frank Pierce,” Mason said.
Before he could say more, the other man spotted them. Some raw emotion flashed over his face, too quick for Lauren to even try to identify it. The man altered his course and came towards them. “Dammit, Stavros, what the hell are you doing here when you could be bleeding out in a ditch somewhere?”
Mason stood up, yet there was a hunched set to his shoulders. When he spoke, he still sounded like Stavros, but there was an edge of something else there, just as raw as whatever had flashed across the Commodore's face. “Frankie Pierce, what a surprise. Still leading from the rear, I suppose?”
Before Lauren could act, the other man grabbed Mason by the throat and slammed him against the wall, “We're here on business... and because of that, I'm not going to kill you and spoil it, no matter how much I want to.”
Lauren cleared her throat, she had her submachine gun pressed against the other man's spine. “You might want to put him down.”
“Still got other people to do your dirty work for you, eh Stavros?” Commodore Pierce demanded as he let Mason go.
“We do what we can,” Mason croaked around a raw throat.
“Commodore Pierce!” a woman's sharp voice called. Lauren and the others turned to find a tall, stately woman stood at the doorway to one of the private offices. She had a lean, slender frame and stood almost two meters in height, yet she still had enough curves under her professional suit to be noticeable. That set Lauren's teeth on edge, because she had an effortless grace to her as well. Next to her, Lauren saw Admiral Mannetti in the doorway. Something of a cruel smile flashed across her face as she stared at Commodore Pierce's face. Well, Lauren thought, we know that she hates this Commodore almost as much as he apparently hates Stavros. Too bad ,that that would have made him a perfect ally under other circumstances. Not for the first time, she wondered why Mason had to pick such a well-hated individual's identity to steal.
“Apologies, madame Counselor,” the Commodore said in a level voice, “Captain Stavros and I had some catching up to do.”
“Clearly,” Admiral Mannetti said with her smile. “Well, the Counselor and I just finished our discussion. I'll take up no more of her time...” She stepped out of the other woman's office and gestured for the Commodore to enter.
Commodore Pierce gave her a frosty nod and he and his companion followed the Counselor into her office. Rather than leaving, however, Admiral Mannetti sauntered in their direction. Lauren restrained a sigh at her display. Really, she could have passed as the Admiral's sister. They had the same short, hourglass figures and similar curly dark hair and dark eyes. The rogue Admiral clearly favored makeup that made her appear both young and alluring while Lauren didn't wear any makeup at all.
Part of Lauren wanted to grab the bitch by the hair and beat the crap out of her. This was the woman who wanted to destroy what Lucius Giovanni was building, not from a desire to replace it with something better, but either from spite or jealousy, and Lauren didn't care which it truly was. Though if rumor has it right, Lauren thought, Baron Giovanni has rejected her charms not just once but twice. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, Lauren knew.
“Captain Stavros, we meet under such interesting circumstances,” Admiral Mannetti said. “I hadn't even known you were headed here until your little display with Captain Archambault and now we cross paths again with Commodore Pierce. You do have a way with people, don't you?” She sounded both sincere and amused, Lauren noted, which was interesting because Kandergain assured them that her spies had reported their goal to her people before they left.
Mason gave her a nod, though he had a touch of worry on his face, “I'm afraid that the Commodore and I are well acquainted. I suppose there might be some hard feelings, these things happen, you know.”
“Oh, I completely understand,” Admiral Mannetti said. “The Commodore has this moral inflexibility to him, especially regarding his employers.” She said the last in a hard tone. Clearly the Commodore was something of an annoyance. “He also has a tendency to survive when the odds are against it, him and his 'War Dogs' both.”
“War Dogs?” Lauren asked.
The Admiral gave her a sharp look, as if surprised to be questioned by Mason's bodyguard. Lauren bit her lip and looked over at Mason. Mason dropped a hand on her shoulder, “The young lady is the orphaned daughter of an old companion of mine, a ward of sorts... though she does tend to speak out of turn at times.” He squeezed her shoulder in warning.
“Ah, how quaint,” Admiral Mannetti said but her eyes appraised Lauren like a warship's lidar might scan a hull. “Child, the War Dogs are a mercenary company, registered at Tannis and everything. I think the Tannis mercenary guilds are a bit too drawn to the letter of the law myself, but the War Dogs are even worse, they can and have pursued contracts even to the point that it's cost them more than they earn from it.” She made a moue of distaste, “Though even then they often find other ways to profit from their efforts. They're well known for their loyalty to their employers... almost fanatically so.” The tone of bitterness in her voice told Lauren just how annoying she found that.
“Thank you, Admiral,” Lauren said politely. “Sorry that I spoke out of turn.”
“Of course, darling,” the Admiral said. She rested a hand on Mason's shoulder, “And you have a fine patron, I think. I must say that I'm impressed with you, so far, Stavros. You're more than your reputation and that's a good thing in our business. Continue to impress me and I might well find a place for you in my own fleet.”
Mason gave her a smile, “Admiral, I appreciate the kind words.” His voice rose just enough to be heard by anyone trying to overhear, “I am, of course, loyal to the fine people of Halcyon, they're my employers after all.” The sarcastic smirk he gave the Admiral suggested that was a lie. Lauren wondered if Mason were laying it on a little too heavily. Then again, Stavros wasn't known for his subtlety.
“Of course,” Admiral Mannetti said with a matching smirk. She also leaned forward a bit to show off her assets and Lauren grit her teeth at the flirtation. Not that she was jealous, of course. She was just irritated that the woman could be at once so degrading to women in general and so obsessed with her own personal power. “Well, keep up the good work, Stavros, and here's to hoping they appreciate your value here on Halcyon.”
She let Mason kiss her hand and gave Lauren a nod and then sauntered away.
***
Garret winced as Jessica slammed the office door shut after they both stepped inside. “Just what the hell are you thinking?!” she demanded. As Garret stared at her he couldn't help an absent thought about her beauty. She had clearly aged under the strain of the past decade, but her cool gray eyes and fine featured face showed experience rather than wear. She wore her blonde hair in a severe fashion, pulled back and taut, rather than loose and long like she used to.
The Commodore met her angry gaze with one of his own, “I'm thinking that our original contract said nothing about working with wanted pirates and scum like Stavros Heraklion.”
She looked away first, “He does have a somewhat checkered past...”
“He's a
known liar, thief, and murderer,” Commodore Pierce said. “And he's not nearly as bad as Admiral Mannetti. At least Stavros would betray you for profit, Lucretta Mannetti would do it because that's just her nature.”
Jessica scowled, “I know, but that's not the current issue. The current issue is that you are not holding up your end of the contract if you're physically assaulting our privateers in my offices... nor are you doing so if you are refusing missions due to unspecified damages.” From the way she weighted her words, she clearly put more importance on the former rather than the latter. She wants to keep us close to home, Garret realized, but she doesn't want anyone listening to know. That realization worried him, not just because she didn't trust the security of her own offices, but also because, even after a decade, he could still read her. She glanced over and met his gaze, “As for you, Commander Penwaithe, are you seriously so strapped for personnel in your squadron that you recruited my little sister? Is this some kind of game to you or do you really think you can come back here as the triumphant hero after how you left?”
Not one bit of faked anger in that, he thought. Before he could open his mouth to respond, the Commodore spoke up, “I recruited Abigail Gordon, because she applied and her test scores and interview matched our parameters. Also, I assigned her to Azure Flight over Captain Penwaithe's protests.”
“Oh, she's not good enough for his squadron, is she?” Jessica growled.
“I don't want to get her killed,” Garret snapped, “Though with how things are looking, it's more likely that you'll be the one putting her in that position. Especially with how close you and Harris are with Admiral Mannetti.”
Her face went pale, “Listen to me, you bastard. You have no right–”
“Okay,” Commodore Pierce said levelly. “I thought bringing Garret to this meeting might put things on better terms. Clearly, I was wrong. Can you two put aside your bitterness and let us discuss business?”