by Ryk Brown
“I see,” Nathan responded. He looked at Cameron and Jalea. Neither of them offered any indication for or against Tobin’s proposal. He was afraid to look at Jessica, as he knew how she would feel about bringing more strangers on board. “Well, it is a very interesting offer. I trust you will not be insulted if I ask for a few minutes to discuss it with my staff?”
“Not at all, Captain. Not at all.”
“Thank you.” Nathan turned to Jalea. “Would you mind taking our guest for a stroll? We’ll contact you when we’re ready to speak further.”
“As you wish, Captain.” Jalea rose from the table and headed for the exit.
“I will await your decision, Captain,” Tobin announced as he stood.
“I’ll try not to keep you waiting.” Nathan offered a sincere smile as Tobin and Jalea left the room, one of the marines following them out the door. Nathan held one hand up, indicating for Jessica and Cameron to wait until after the door closed before speaking.
“Okay, let’s hear it,” Nathan said after the door closed.
“I don’t trust either one of them,” Cameron stated.
“Well that goes without saying,” Nathan agreed, leaning back in his chair. “But we have to do something. We can’t just sit out here in the middle of nowhere.”
“Why not?” Cameron asked. “Not forever, of course. But why can’t we just sit out here and fix everything we can before we move on? It’s safer than flying into that system full of who- knows-what.”
“What are we going to do for food, Cam? We’re down to nuts and dried fruit. And we’ll be out of that in another day or two.”
“I don’t know, Nathan. Maybe there’s something we can trade for some food. Maybe have this Tobin character ferry something out to us.”
“I don’t think that’s what he has in mind. He’s obviously angling for a larger score here.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Cameron insisted.
Nathan turned to look at Jessica. “Well, you’re awfully quiet. Surely you’ve got something to say about all this?”
Jessica, who had been leaning against the wall the entire time, stepped over to the table and sat on the edge, turning to face the two of them. “Look, the whole setup stinks, there’s no doubt about it. But I don’t see as we have much choice. We need food. We need supplies. But more importantly, we need intelligence. And a hell of a lot more of it than Jalea is willing to dole out. We’re not gonna jump or blast our way back to Earth. We have to think our way home. And to do that, we need to know exactly what we’re up against. And that means we can’t just hide out here in the void. We have to bump elbows with the locals. We have to interact. That’s the only way to gather reliable intel.”
Nathan looked at Cameron. “She’s right, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” Cameron was obviously frustrated. The situation they were about to fly into was full of unknowns, which was something Cameron did not care for. “I just wish we knew more beforehand.”
“I think that’s the point she’s trying to make.” Nathan turned back to Jessica. “So what do you propose?”
“We need boots on the ground. Our own eyes and ears soaking up as much intel as possible.”
“Are you proposing you go down to the surface?”
“I’m proposing we go down there. Along with some backup, of course.”
“Me? Why me?” Nathan was a bit shocked that she had suggested he go with her.
“Well, you seem to have a knack with negotiations. You’re good with people. But you’re not that observant of what’s going on around you.”
“I’ll try to work on that,” he promised.
“That’s where I come in.”
“You’re assuming he has room for all of you in that little ship of his,” Cameron pointed out.
“Well, if he doesn’t, I’m sure he can find one that does,” Jessica said. “It doesn’t sound like we’re gonna be too far away from this Haven place.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Nathan said, looking at each of them. It was obvious that Jessica was in agreement. It was equally obvious that Cameron was not.
“Sorry, Cam. Two against one, you lose,” he smiled. “Call them back in,” he said to Jessica.
“This isn’t a democracy,” Cameron reminded him, a scowl on her face. “You’re the captain. You don’t ask for a vote.”
“Hey, gimme a break. I’m new at this, remember?”
Moments later, Tobin and Jalea returned to the briefing room, their escort in tow. After routine pleasantries were exchanged, Nathan spoke. “We’ve decided to accept your offer, Mister Marsh. But there are a few conditions.” Tobin gave no indication that he intended to speak, so Nathan continued. “First, all personnel that you provide shall be restricted to the hangar deck, without exception. Anyone caught off the hangar deck will be forcibly detained, at a minimum. Second, all activity on the hangar deck will be closely monitored by armed personnel who will have standing orders to use deadly force if necessary.” A stern look came over Nathan’s face. “In this there can be no negotiation. We are in unknown space. And by your own description Haven is not exactly a safe place, especially for strangers such as ourselves. I trust these conditions will be acceptable.”
“Of course, Captain. I understand your need to maintain the security of your vessel. Especially considering your recent governmental entanglements,” he put delicately.
“And lastly, if there is room in your vessel, a few of us would like to accompany you to the surface, to take a look around, so to speak.”
This did cause a reaction from Tobin. “Captain, you yourself just acknowledged that Haven is not the safest of worlds, especially for strangers. Going there does not seem worth the risk at this point. Haven can be a very dangerous place.”
“I suspect we’ll be able to handle ourselves should something unexpected occur. But I appreciate your concern.”
Tobin could see that Nathan was adamant in his desire to visit the surface of Haven and decided it was best not to press him on the issue. “As you wish, Captain. I can accommodate up to six passengers in my ship. However, due to the space restrictions, I would suggest waiting until you are in position within the rings of Haven before transferring to the surface.”
“Of course,” Nathan agreed. “And as for your compensation. We are only interested in whatever portion of harvested resources are required to pay for what supplies we are able to procure while on Haven. Anything else you and your people are able to haul away you are welcome to divide however you wish.”
Tobin’s eyes widened slightly at Nathan’s surprising offer. “That is very generous of you, Captain. Might I inquire as to how long you intend to remain in our system?”
“Only as long as is necessary to obtain the supplies we seek. To remain longer would be… unwise.” Nathan smiled.
“Very well then, Captain. It appears we have an arrangement,” he stated, standing and offering his hand to seal the deal.
“It appears so,” Nathan agreed, shaking Tobin’s hand.
“Might I inquire as to how long it will take your ship to reach Haven?”
Nathan turned to look at Cameron. “About seven hours,” she told them.
“I understand that you have a transponder for us to use?”
“Yes. Once installed, it will identify you as a Volonese cargo ship,” Tobin explained. “They are varied and not uncommon in this region of space. Even if inspected visually, it is doubtful anyone would become suspicious. And if they did, Volon is sufficiently distant that verification of your identity would take far longer than your planned stay in our system.”
“And how long will it take to install this device?”
“Less than an hour, I would expect. I will require the assistance of one of your technicians.”
“I’ll see to it,” he assured Tobin. “Jalea, would you please take Mister Marsh to Engineering. I will contact the chief engineer and let him know you’re coming.”
Jalea nodded,
rose, and led Tobin out of the room, again with their armed escort trailing them. Once they had left the room, Nathan turned to Jessica.
“You don’t have to say it,” she said before he could speak. “I’ll make sure they’re both under constant scrutiny,” she promised on her way out.
“Thanks.” Nathan turned to Cameron. The look on her face told of her disapproval of his plan. “I know, Cam. I’m not crazy about it either. Just tell Abby to always have an escape jump plotted and ready, just in case.”
“You bet,” she agreed as she rose to exit.
“We’ll get underway just as soon as that transponder is installed and working.”
“Yes, sir,” she half-heartedly agreed as she headed out of the briefing room. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
“So do I,” he admitted. Nathan leaned back in his chair and let out a long slow breath. His mind was racing at the thought of what lie ahead. Only days ago, they had left Earth on what they thought was a routine training cruise. After an unexpected string of events, they were now stranded a thousand light years from home, in a busted up ship, with only a fraction of their crew-and they were almost out of food. And they still had no idea how they were going to get home. At least now, however, they might not starve to death.
“Perhaps the code you entered is not working?” Vladimir was frustrated. They had been attempting to get the transponder provided by Tobin to work with the Aurora’s navigational beacon for over an hour, and he was beginning to lose his patience with the alien technology.
“It will work,” Tobin insisted. “It will just take time. Your ship is still well outside the system. At this distance, it will take several hours for the signal to reach Haven, and then for the confirmation signal to travel back out to us.”
“And why do we need this device?”
“All ships entering the system must register with the system controllers. This requires you to spend several hours in port undergoing thorough inspections, creating trader accounts-it is all very involved and would not serve your need for discretion. This device will identify your ship as belonging to a small company that occasionally comes to harvest the rings. When they receive the signal from this transponder, the controllers will simply log you into their tracking system, tallying up charges as you conduct business within the system. No one will ever give you a second glance.”
“Charges? We have to pay charges? What happens if we cannot pay?” Vladimir wondered. He was pretty sure there were no funds to speak of on board the Aurora.
“That would not be wise,” Tobin warned. “The family that currently controls Haven is not known for their forgiveness.”
“How did you get this device?”
“Anyone can purchase a transponder,” Tobin explained. “It is the codes that are difficult to acquire without going through the registration process. Luckily, I know the right people, in the right places.” Tobin smiled.
“It is that easy?” Vladimir wasn’t sure he believed everything the stranger was telling him.
“I did not say it was easy,” Tobin corrected. “But Haven offers many things, if one knows where to look.”
Vladimir also smiled, as he realized that no matter where you went, there was always a black market of some kind. Apparently it was no different in this part of the galaxy.
“I believe everything is in working order,” Tobin assured him as he punched in a code. Upon pressing the last key, the display on the device went blank for a moment, and then a single word appeared. It was in bold and flashed three times before becoming steady. But it was in Angla, which although similar in its spoken form, used some odd variations in characters.
“What does that mean?” Vladimir asked.
“The device is now locked,” Tobin announced nonchalantly.
“Locked? In what way?” Vladimir was not sure he liked the sound of that.
“Unless the code is locked, it will not appear to be valid to the controllers.”
Vladimir still did not like the idea of anything being locked. But Tobin’s explanation made sense. “How will we know it is safe to proceed?”
“When your ship approaches Haven, if you are not attacked, you will know.”
Vladimir looked at Tobin, his eyes wide and his brow raised in doubt.
“Do not worry, it will be fine. I have done this many times,” Tobin assured him.
“I’m sorry. I do not mean to doubt you. It just seems too easy.”
“Yes, of course. But you must understand, the family does not really care if you are who you say you are. They only care that they get paid. As long as they receive their compensation, they will not question your identity.” Tobin chuckled. “Corruption has its advantages.” Tobin stood, satisfied that the installation had been completed. “You may tell your captain it is now safe to enter the system.”
“Bridge, Engineering,” Vladimir’s voice called over the comm-system.
Nathan stood beside the communications officer, who was still using the port auxiliary station until the regular comm station at the rear of the bridge was repaired. He gestured to the comm officer to open the channel before he spoke. “Yeah, Vlad. Go ahead.”
“Nathan, the transponder is installed, and I am told it is working properly. Tobin says we can get underway whenever we are ready.”
“Very well. Bridge out.” Nathan turned back toward Jessica, who was standing at the tactical station. “Any contacts in the area?”
“Not since Tobin arrived,” she answered.
“Kaylah, is that thing transmitting?” Nathan asked Ensign Yosef, the science officer who had been manning the sensors for the last few days.
“Yes, sir, it is. Regular pulses, wide band, omni-directional. However, that signal will take several hours to reach Haven, sir.”
“So we’ll arrive shortly after the signal does?”
“Yes, sir, by a few hours, depending on our approach velocity.”
Nathan turned to look at Jalea, who was standing at the rear of the bridge, near the port entrance. “Can they see us out here?”
“I do not believe they regularly scan this far beyond their own borders. They would have no reason to do so. And even if they did, a single ship this far out would be difficult to spot. Especially one that is not moving.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t look like we’ve just been sitting out here all this time,” Jessica added. “It might look suspicious.”
“Good thinking,” Nathan commended. “Cameron? I assume you’ve already plotted a course into the system?”
“Of course,” she responded. “Hours ago.”
“Doctor Sorenson?” Nathan turned to face her. “You have an escape jump plotted?”
“About a dozen variations, all along our proposed route into the system,” she assured him.
“Very well.” Nathan thought for a moment, hoping that they weren’t about to make a mistake. “Let’s get underway. Communications, alert all hands to prepare for acceleration.”
“Aye, sir,” the comm officer acknowledged.
“Helm, take us to Haven. Bring her up to maximum velocity as quickly as possible then start a gradual deceleration curve. I want us to look like we just dropped out of FTL on our way in.”
“Aye, Captain. Bringing her up sharply to maximum sub-light velocity.” As Cameron began entering commands at the helm station, the comm officer’s voice could be heard in the background as he warned the crew to brace for sudden acceleration. The Aurora’s inertial dampeners were still not fully repaired, and Nathan had to hold on to the tactical console to keep from falling over as the main engines were quickly brought up to maximum thrust levels. The ship lurched forward and began to accelerate quickly, forcing Nathan to shakily make his way to the command chair in order to avoid falling.
“How long will it take us to reach Haven?” he asked as he plopped down into his chair at the center of the bridge.
“About six hours.” Due to their insufficient numbers, Cameron was forced to serve as bo
th pilot and navigator, on top of her responsibilities as executive officer. Nathan had offered to handle the navigation for her, but unless the situation warranted otherwise, she felt better managing on her own. Although there was no denying Nathan’s natural piloting abilities, she had never been impressed with his navigational skills.
After a short period of acceleration at full power, the ship reached her maximum sub-light speed. “Velocity at point seven-five light,” Cameron announced. “Mains are offline, beginning deceleration burn.”
Cameron brought the main engines offline, and began a slow, steady deceleration burn using the forward braking thrusters. The burn would take nearly five hours to complete, bringing them down to just the right velocity and allowing them to be captured by the gravity well of the gas giant that Haven orbited. Compared to the main engines, the noise and sensation of the deceleration burn was almost non-existent, making it easy for the crew to move about the ship without fear of losing their footing.
“Very well. Secure from acceleration stations.”
“We are now entering the Haven system, Captain,” Ensign Yosef announced.
“Let’s hope that thing works,” Nathan muttered.
The Medical section, although still full of patients, was at least clean and orderly once again. The chaos that had lasted more than twenty-four hours had finally subsided, and Doctor Chen and a handful of volunteers had managed to get a workable routine in place. She had expanded her facility by having the crew quarters nearest to medical evacuated in order to turn them into long-term care rooms, nearly tripling her capacity. But it was a challenge to routinely check on every patient under her care, even with the assistance of others as well as every piece of monitoring gear they could get their hands on. She had even taken some of the bio-monitors from EVA suits to monitor patients in nearby rooms.