“We’ll offer them what aid we can,” President Mayfield said. “Though I don’t know what the Profiteers will allow. If we can’t move any domestic aircraft, the South Africans may be on their own.”
“The Profiteers don’t seem to be making demands of anyone else,” commented General Braid.
“They don’t have to,” President Mayfield answered grimly. “After what they just did to the South Africans, no one will dare deny their demands.”
“Do you think they chose South Africa, knowing how they would respond?” asked Raul, looking over at President Mayfield and General Braid.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” answered Braid. “They probably wanted to set an example for the rest of us.”
Raul looked back at the viewscreen. Six areas in South Africa were now covered in dense smoke and raging fires. “That’s one hell of an example. Just what sort of people are we dealing with?”
“They look at us as property,” replied President Mayfield forlornly. “If we don’t do as they ask, they’ll kill us all.”
Everyone was silent, as they thought that over. They were in a dire situation that was about to get much worse.
-
First Profiteer Creed nodded with satisfaction, as he was told the South Africans had capitulated. “We’ll have the gold and diamonds within the week.”
“A good plan,” commented Second Profiteer Lantz. “There are numerous small countries on this planet. We can make the same or similar demands to each one.”
“Over time,” Creed said with a nod. “For now, this little example should suffice. I strongly suspect our collections of gold and other valuables will greatly increase.”
“Jarls’s shuttle has arrived,” reported Third Profiteer Bixt.
“Have him meet me in my quarters,” responded Creed. “I have much to discuss with the Dacroni clan leader.”
-
High Profiteer Creed entered his quarters to find Jarls waiting for him.
“I watched your attack upon this world,” Jarls said. “Are you not concerned about the riches you may have destroyed with the nukes?”
“There are hundreds of such cities on this planet,” Creed said dismissively. “This was a lesson in humility. Next time I make a demand, they’ll make haste to meet it.”
“Perhaps,” Jarls said, as he sat down. His large frame and weight made the chair creak. “What is it that you want? It’s nearing time for us to discuss if you want to hire my fleet for the additional ninety days.”
“I have more than that to discuss,” Creed replied. “Because of the recklessness of one of your clan, I lost a valuable battlecruiser.”
“Ah, yes,” Jarls said with a slight nod. “I also lost a battleship. The Rellal was quite a valuable possession. I expect to be compensated for it. Battleships are not cheap.”
“Compensated for it!” sputtered Creed, his eyes growing wide in anger. “I should be compensated.”
“The ships were destroyed by the humans,” Jarls pointed out. “Humans who should have never been in the Gothan Empire, let alone Kubitz. One of your own Profiteers led them there.”
Creed was silent for a moment. “The First Profiteers of my two escort ships report that the humans on Kubitz have set up a diplomatic mission of a sort. It’s also rumored that they used a large quantity of gold, which they changed into credits, to buy possible weapons systems.”
Jarls’s eyes narrowed. “What type?”
“Hypermissiles for one,” Creed answered. He wondered if he would have been better off not mentioning this. Jarls could demand an increase in his compensation for protecting the Profiteer fleet and keeping Earth under control.
“Hypermissiles are of no concern to me,” Jarls responded. “My ships’ energy shields can handle them.”
Creed studied the facial expression on the Dacroni mercenary. Jarls was a hard one to read. “I want to attack the human colony on Newton.”
Jarls looked long and hard at Creed. “Why?”
“Gold and other valuables,” Creed responded. “I have reason to believe that a large amount was removed from Earth and transferred to their colony world. Their trip to Kubitz seems to confirm that.”
“Their remaining fleet is at Newton,” Jarls pointed out. “It’s likely they will not flee if we attack the colony, as it’s their only other world besides Earth. They’ll fight to the last ship. Their particle beam weapons will be a problem. To attack Newton will cost me some of my battleships.”
“You will be compensated,” promised Creed. He could see the look in Jarls’s eyes as he thought over how much he would require. “I’ll give you 20 percent of any gold or other valuables we find on the colony world.”
“Fifty percent,” Jarls countered with a crafty look in his eyes. “Fifty percent and you pay to replace ships I lose.”
“Thirty-five percent and you pay for your ship loses.” Creed held his breath, waiting to see if Jarls would accept his offer.
“Forty percent and I’ll cover my own losses,” Jarls responded. “That’s my final offer.”
Creed hesitated. It was a steep offer, but he wasn’t sure he could take the colony world without Jarls’s battleships. “Agreed.”
“How soon before we move on Newton?”
“A few weeks,” Creed answered. “I need to summon more of my ships and make some preparations. I don’t believe, between the two of us, we’ll have much trouble with the human fleet. All they have is the one battlecruiser, and, once it’s been eliminated, the rest won’t matter.”
“Let’s hope you’re right,” Jarls said with a slight frown. “Remember, this human battlecruiser and the ships with it just destroyed one of my battleships and one of your battlecruisers. This might not be as easy as you believe.”
Creed wasn’t too concerned. He knew, with the forces at his command, he could easily overwhelm the remaining human ships. What interested him the most was how much gold had been taken to the human colony. He strongly suspected this was why they weren’t finding as much as they had the first time on Earth. Well, that was about to change. He would go to Newton and get his gold. It was his right as a Profiteer!
Chapter Fifteen
Kurt was at his sister’s home, enjoying some time playing with his nephew and telling Denise and Alex about their experiences on Kubitz.
“It sounds like a crazy mixed-up world,” commented Alex, shaking his head. “I just don’t see how a system like theirs can work. It seems as if it would fall into anarchy, and then there would be chaos.”
“It’s the Controllers,” Kurt answered. Bryan had gone to his room to draw a picture of a spaceship. “They keep everything in check through the system of contracts they have set up. They also control all the credits.”
“So these credit things are what they use for money?” asked Denise, coming to sit down on the sofa next to her brother.
“Yes, and their entire system is backed by gold and other precious metals, which the Controllers also have control of. Their credits are worth much more than the North American Union currency we’re used to. On Kubitz everything is for sale, but there’s a stiff penalty for failing to honor a contract.”
Denise was silent for a moment and then looked at Kurt with a mischievous smile. “Let’s hear more about this woman doctor you met. She’s actually human?”
Kurt shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. He never should have mentioned Keera to Denise. “Yes, she’s human. A lot of the different civilized races in the galaxy are.”
“So after this attack where they kidnapped Private Dulcet, she was the first person you saw?”
“Yes,” Kurt answered. “We had all been gassed, and she seemed to know what to do. I invited her to come to the diplomatic compound for a meal to show my appreciation for what she did.”
“You don’t normally invite women out to eat,” Denise said, cocking her eyebrow. “The last one I remember was Carolyn Donner back in high school.”
“Did you ever find out what happened to P
rivate Dulcet?” asked Alex.
“No,” Kurt answered with a deep and frustrated sigh. “Avery Dolman is making some inquiries, but he didn’t sound very hopeful. Grantz is also searching for her.”
“You said they have actual brothels on Kubitz?” asked Denise.
“Yes,” Kurt answered. “Brothels and pleasure houses.”
“Aren’t they the same?” asked Alex, looking confused.
“They’re similar,” Kurt said. “According to Grantz, the brothels are full of women from various worlds who have been bought by the companies. The pleasure houses have women and various pleasure-stimulating drugs and specialized entertainment. As I said before, nearly everything imaginable can be bought on Kubitz for the right price.”
“I don’t think I even want to know what some of those things are,” said Denise, her face flushing slightly.
“Did any of your crew go to these brothels or pleasure houses?” asked Alex.
“No,” replied Kurt, shaking his head. “The only person I know who did was Grantz, and, from what I understand, he’s a regular customer.”
“I still can’t believe you hired that Profiteer to work for you,” Denise said unhappily. “How can you trust him?”
“I don’t,” answered Kurt. “However, I trust the contract he signed.”
“Uncle Kurt, I have the spaceship!” Bryan yelled, as he ran from his room into the living area, holding a piece of colored paper. “I drew the Star Cross, because it’s the most powerful ship there is.”
“Come show me,” Kurt said, grinning. He really enjoyed spending time with his nephew, and, as long as Bryan was around, Denise wouldn’t ask any more questions about Keera.
-
The next day Kurt sat in Governor Spalding’s office, per the governor’s request to brief him on the mission to Kubitz and what Kurt’s next plans were.
“We’ve gotten all the refugees pretty well situated,” Spalding began, as he shuffled several papers on his desk. “We’re building additional housing and increasing our infrastructure to ensure they’re able to live normal lives here on Newton. The people you rescued from Kubitz have been taken to our hospitals for evaluation. From what I heard, a number of them went through some very trying experiences.”
“They survived,” answered Kurt, thinking about Captain Randson’s wife and daughter.
“There’ll be more,” Spalding said sadly. “I suspect every passenger liner we send to Kubitz will return with people kidnapped from Earth.”
“What about Marlen Stroud?” asked Kurt, making sure the former head of the department of labor wasn’t becoming a bigger threat. Stroud made Kurt feel uneasy, as the man was only interested in power and not the well-being of the people.
Spalding let out a deep sigh. “When we finally checked into all who had come from Earth on the passenger and cargo ships, we were surprised to find seventy-eight people came to Newton illegally. Most of them have few or no talents we can use.”
“What did you do with them?”
Governor Spalding grinned. “We have a small fishing village on the other side of the planet. We sent all of them there, including Stroud. They’re being taught how to fish.”
“I bet that went over well,” Kurt said. He couldn’t imagine Stroud willingly getting his hands dirty.
“We gave them a choice,” Spalding answered simply. “We’ll provide them basic housing and living supplies. If they want something more, they have to work for it. Most of them are doing some fishing, though I understand Stroud is still claiming to be the legitimate head of the government and is threatening to have me hung someday.”
“I’d keep a close watch on him,” warned Kurt. “Stroud is not one to be taken lightly.”
“I have some security people in place, keeping an eye on things,” Spalding assured Kurt. “I receive regular reports about what’s going on at the village. Now what I really wanted to talk to you about is, what are your next plans?”
Kurt nodded. “As you know, we managed to secure a very powerful defense grid for Newton. Once it’s in place, I don’t think we’ll need to be overly concerned about an attack. We should have delivery in two to three months.”
“That will be a huge relief for everyone on Newton,” Spalding said. “I understand some of the hypermissiles you purchased were destroyed. I’m sorry about the Lansing.”
“It was unfortunate,” Kurt admitted, still angry about the loss. “Captain Blair was a brave man, as was his crew.”
“I never got to meet the captain,” Spalding said with sadness in his eyes. “I wonder how many more good people we’ll lose before this is over?”
“There will be others,” Kurt admitted somberly. “We also made arrangements to purchase additional warships.”
“Warships!” exclaimed Governor Spalding, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“Yes, ten battlecruisers and four battleships,” Kurt answered with a satisfied smile. “Once they’re delivered, we’ll have a fleet fully capable of resisting any possible invasion force.”
“When are you sending more ships back to Kubitz? Is there anything else there we might be interested in?”
“Everything you can imagine is for sale on Kubitz for the right price. Another cargo ship along with the light cruiser Sydney is going there immediately. I want those hypermissiles, as they’re so much better than the missiles we use. I’m also sending more of the First Contact teams, additional Marines, and a few specialists to delve more into technology we might be interested in.”
Spalding steepled his fingers with a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I have a few recommendations for people to help round out Lieutenant Tenner’s staff. I know some well-qualified people who can make this embassy run smoother.”
“That would be helpful,” Kurt replied. The governor would know more about the people needed to run a compound like the embassy on Kubitz.
Spalding’s eyes narrowed. “Where will you get the crews for these new ships? Doesn’t it take several years to train fleet personnel?”
“We have a few available in the people we brought from Earth,” Kurt replied. “Plus a few extra on the shipyard. We should also see if we can recruit anyone here on Newton, but the ones I really need are still on Earth.”
“What are you proposing?” asked Spalding, looking inquisitively at Kurt.
“I currently have two long-range shuttles in the shipyard with a special composite hull overlay. We’ll do everything we can to make the shuttles undetectable to the Profiteers and the Dacroni mercenaries. I intend to land those shuttles on Earth, make contact with either President Mayfield or Fleet Admiral Tomalson, and arrange to get the people we need off the planet.”
“To the best of my knowledge shuttles are too small for a hyperdrive system,” commented Spalding, a frown in place.
“They are,” admitted Kurt. “I’ll send the light carrier Vindication to the inner edges of the Kuiper Belt. From there the shuttles can use their sublight drives to reach Earth.”
“I assume the Vindication will have other escorts?”
“Two destroyers,” Kurt answered. “I don’t want to take too many ships from Newton, until the defense grid is in place.”
“Do you think they’ll attack us before the grid gets here?”
“I think so,” Kurt answered. This was something he had given great thought to. “Once High Profiteer Creed finds out we’ve been to Kubitz and used gold to exchange for credits, he’ll surmise a lot of gold must have been removed from Earth. As greedy as these Profiteers are, he’ll come here looking for it.”
“What will we do?” asked Governor Spalding, his worry evident in his voice. “We can’t lose Newton.”
“We won’t,” Kurt promised with a wolfish smile. “I’ll have a few surprises waiting for the High Profiteer. We’re not like Earth. They weren’t expecting an attack. We are, and that will make the difference.”
“I hope you’re right,” Spalding said uneasily. “You’re the fleet admiral, and the sa
fety of the planet is in your hands. Let me know if you need anything. Make sure you keep General Mclusky informed. You may also want to discuss with him what weapons can be purchased on Kubitz that would help with his ground defense forces.”
“I’ll do that,” Kurt answered. “I have a meeting scheduled with the general for later this afternoon.”
For the next hour, Kurt described to the governor their experiences on Kubitz and what his future plans were. Spalding asked a lot of questions, and, in the end, they both felt they had a very productive meeting.
-
Newton Station had gone through a lot of changes since Kurt had left for Kubitz. Captain Simms and Colonel Hayworth had been working their crews like mad to update the station and prepare it for a possible Profiteer attack.
Kurt stood in the large construction bay, brought from Earth, gazing at the exploration ship Trinity. Four of the five large exploration ships had been out exploring, and all had been recalled. Each ship was the same size as the Star Cross. Unlike the Star Cross, they were only lightly armed. The ships had been designed for exploration and not for war. Work crews were crawling all over the hull of the Trinity, removing hull plates with cutting torches, while other dock workers installed additional equipment.
“How far along are we?” Kurt asked. The exploration cruisers were built to the same hull design as the Star Cross, with some interior changes to allow for research labs and other facilities needed for deep-space exploration.
“We’ve been working on the Trinity for four weeks,” answered Captain Simms. “We had to gut some of the interior and reroute a lot of power systems.”
“Two more weeks and she’ll be done,” added Colonel Hayworth, as he observed the work crews with a critical eye. “We have crews working around the clock. When we’re done, she’ll be as heavily armed as the Star Cross with a fully functional military-grade energy shield.”
The Star Cross Page 20