The colonel, with obvious reluctance, wrote on his strip of paper, folded it, and passed it across to the commander. She shuffled the folded papers, unfolded them one by one, and arranged them in piles according to the number written on each strip. When the commander finished laying out the strips of paper, there was one vote to withdraw, three to continue with the venture with Monty, and seventeen to allow Steg to command the mercenary forces in an action against the Xesset.
“We continue the action against the Xesset under de Coeur’s leadership,” Gillespie confirmed. “We have a clear majority vote for that option. Colonel, do you accept this decision?”
Attwood glared at Steg and then at Gillespie. “No, I damned well don’t,” he snarled. “It’s totally unacceptable.”
“Colonel, I’ll remind you we’ve followed agreed protocol as defined in our letter of marque. We’ve voted, and the majority decision is clear and undisputed.” Gillespie frowned. “The rules in the letter issued by Sicca require you to either comply with the majority vote or resign. So agree or I’ll accept your resignation, now. The same applies to anyone—any officer here—who refuses to accept our majority decision.” She looked at each of the officers seated around the meeting table. “Do any of you refuse to accept this majority decision?”
“I refuse,” Colonel Attwood said.
“Likewise,” Major Fowler said.
Two other officers also refused; one was the young lieutenant who had suggested Monty should be included in the meeting, and the last was a lieutenant who appeared to be even younger.
“Very well,” Gillespie said. “Your verbal resignations are accepted, effective on conclusion of this meeting. You’ll be designated as passengers, and you’ll be required to disembark when we reach a suitable system, which’ll happen at the ship’s convenience. Please remove your insignia and rank badges from your uniforms. Your resignations and status will be broadcast ship-wide when we conclude our meeting. Understood?”
The four officers nodded their acceptance of the commander’s rulings. They were silent, aware they’d been treated according to conditions contained in their letter of marque. Attwood reached a hand to his collar and began removing his rank badges.
Gillespie turned to Steg. “Well, de Coeur, it looks as though we’re in your hands. Can you—”
One of Steg’s guards leaned forward, his expression intent, and interrupted. “Captain de Coeur, I have a communication from Sergeant Kirby. He says to tell you Monty and his four wives may be trying to exit their quarters. He’s worried they may try to take over or damage Wasp. He said he needs you urgently in our war room.”
*****
Chapter 16
Sergeant Kirby had discovered one of the recruits was a communications expert, and as a result of some intensive and rapid re-engineering, shipboard cameras, both internal and external, were now relayed to display panels in Ebony Company’s war room.
“Show me,” Steg directed as soon as he entered the room, which was occupied by Sergeant Kirby and five marines from Ebony Company. All were watching different live displays from around the starship. Everyone was wearing exo-armor, with helmets ready to don, and had their weapons in case of action.
“Iwao, let me see the latest,” Kirby said. Iwao Banryū was the company’s new communications expert. He was an inch under five feet tall, and Steg estimated his weight at two hundred pounds. He was a heavyworlder, and Steg had seen him lift twice his weight with ease.
Iwao keyed in a short command and the images on the largest screen switched to display a long corridor. Steg recognized it; he had walked down its length when he visited with Monty.
Iwao explained. He ran one hand through his bristled hair while he gesticulated with the other. “This leads to the main entrance for their water tank. We’ve seen some of Monty’s little insects venture out. They’re trailing wires back inside. We think he’s using the wires for guidance and communication. He has a bug stationed outside the door. It’s been there for ten minutes, and I suspect it’s on guard duty. Another two were there earlier—they’ve withdrawn back into the tank room.”
“What weapons can we can use against Monty’s insects? Without wrecking Wasp?”
Kirby replied, “We have AI-controlled mobile weapons units in the armory—they’re AWEs—Automated Weapons, Enhanced. They’re armored and heavily armed. They can be effective. I activated three of them, earlier. They’re carrying everything from heavy machine guns to lighter weapons, with grenade launchers, fire lances, almost anything you’re likely to need short of heavy artillery or nukes. Once we deploy an AWE, it can be manually operated, from here, for example, or set to automatic, in which case the weapon’s AI takes control. I’ve already tasked one; it should be at this end of the corridor in a minute.” He pointed at the screen. “We’ll control it from this workstation. We’ve also set up some booby-traps along the corridor, and we can trigger them anytime. The trap near the door will destroy all his bugs in that area.”
Steg said, “Good. We’ve got infrared cameras in the corridor?”
Iwao nodded.
Steg continued his instructions to Kirby. “Cut off the power supplies to the tank and surrounding areas. Monty’s bugs may not be able to see in the dark. Power loss will help convince him he’s on the losing side. Once the AWE’s in place, use it to destroy the scout and all his other insects in the doorway. Hold the traps in reserve. You can commence when you’re ready. I want to isolate the tank, so we need to identify all the blast doors we can close to block Monty off. When you close a blast door, take full control: post guards and don’t allow anyone to override your commands.”
Steg waited as the sergeant instructed his men.
When Kirby finished, Steg asked, “Did you find the intake and outlet valves for their water environment?” He suspected the aliens’ watery habitat was refreshed or supplemented from time to time and had earlier suggested Kirby to check blueprints against the starship’s structural modifications to discover where the valves were located. Steg wanted to threaten Monty with loss of his environment; however, he didn’t want to risk simply pumping the water out into the vacuum of space at an extremely low temperature, and besides, they might need the water.
Kirby said, “Yes, sir. There’s a complex of valves; one seems to be an intake valve, the other an exhaust valve; they’re both located in an empty shuttle bay. We found a number of large bladders in the same bay. They’ve got a huge capacity; they’ll each hold about forty tons of water. I suspect the bladders were used for transporting water to Wasp. We can use them to drain off the water. While we may not be able to completely empty the tank, the loss of even a hundred tons of his environment should alarm Monty.”
“I agree, it’s worth a try.”
“I’ve a small team, three men; they’re linking up a bladder to the valve system now.” Kirby was accustomed to acting on his own discretion.
“Good,” Steg said. “Tell them to go ahead as soon as they’re ready. Send some more men to guard them. When Monty discovers he’s losing water from his habitat, I’m sure all hell will break loose.”
Iwao spoke up. “Sergeant, we’re ready to send the AWE into the corridor.”
Kirby said, “Get the weapon close to the doorway into the tank area as quickly as you can.”
Iwao added, “We can watch its progress from the corridor cameras and when it gets closer, I’ll add the AWE’s camera output to the display.”
The heavy-duty, track-mounted AWE, a range of weapons protruding from its threatening bulk, moved along the corridor, its progress relayed by camera after camera. When the unit was ten yards or so from the croach-sized construct located outside the tank doorway, the operator halted its forward motion and targeted the tiny device. He selected and fired a shotgun shell, the impact of the pellets shattering the scout into multiple fragments. He backed the unit away from the doorway and waited.
Steg’s concentration was interrupted by Sergeant Kirby.
“Captain
, our team at the water valve advise they’ve filled the first bladder and are tractoring it away to the bay doors in case we need to dump it into space. They’re preparing a second bladder.”
“Tell them, well done. Next, I want you to deploy three units, all the men of Ebony Company not currently engaged, as follows: one to help protect Wasp’s command bridge, one to Engineering and the third to be ready to respond to any attack by Monty. We’ve nowhere near enough men. I’ll arrange support from the Stingers. Ebony Company can’t do everything. I’ll update the commander, talk to Captain Dean, and I’ll communicate with Monty. He needs to understand we’re in control. Let me know when your team fills the third bladder; it’ll give me additional leverage.”
Steg headed to the bridge where he found both Colonel Attwood and Captain Dean in discussion with Commander Gillespie. Attwood appeared to be still complaining about Steg’s recent activities.
“If I may interrupt—” He paused, waiting for acknowledgment.
“Yes, yes.” Attwood was abrupt. The other two were far more courteous. The commander smiled her welcome.
“Dean, I need some of the Stingers to supplement the Ebony Company. I want to mount defensive teams to prevent Monty from damaging or taking over the ship. I’ve tasked my company to send men to the bridge here and to Engineering. I’m holding a small unit in reserve. We have to protect Weapons and Systems and all the shuttles. We don’t want Monty trying to escape. Can you work with me?”
“I suppose there’s nothing I can do to stop any of this, so go ahead, instruct Dean.” The colonel’s comment was almost a snarl. He turned and stomped off the bridge, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed.
“Well, that clears the air,” Dean said. “Mind you, he did surrender his rank badges to the commander. How many and where?”
“Liaise with Kirby. We’ve set up a war room adjacent to the command center on C deck. I need your Delta Company if you can make them available. More, if possible. Monty will try to communicate with the Xesset, which we must prevent. We’ll need relief teams.” After reflecting for a moment, he directed a question to the commander. “How many shuttles do you have?”
Gillespie replied, “Six. I’ve four of my marines guarding each bay. They’re good marines, although too few, of course.”
“Dean, if you’ll also support the shuttle guards?”
“Certainly. I’ll arrange for Charlie Company to step up; that’ll give me a total of close on a hundred men. Will it be enough?”
“Yes, do it. You have my authority.” Steg said. “I suspect we’ll see some violence in the next few hours so exo-armor is mandated. We don’t know what resources Monty can bring into play and possibly I’m over-reacting. We stationed an AWE outside the tank room. It destroyed one of his bugs, and I expect he’ll send out more. We’ve commenced draining water from his habitat into large bladders, which my men found in the shuttle bay behind his tank. I expect Monty to react violently when he realizes we’re draining his swamp. He might strike out, either to flee Wasp or to take it over.”
“You’ve been busy,” Dean said.
“Prudent actions. I’ve instructed Sergeant Kirby to block all accesses around the aliens’ habitat and to cut power and lights. If you think of anything, let him know. I want to discuss some details with Commander Gillespie, after which I’ll head back to the war room. Questions?”
“No, none at all. Lots of interest, though.” Dean headed off the bridge, eager to deploy his men and participate in whatever action was required to protect the starship.
“As Dean said, you’ve been busy,” commented the commander. She appeared to be stressed, concerned for the safety of her ship and crew.
Steg nodded his head. “We’re working the Ebony Company into a disciplined team, and they’re proving to be effective now they have real tasks to carry out. They’re eager for action. They’ve a need to prove themselves. I suspect I’ll have to call on some of your people to help, in particular, Systems and Weapons. If you agree, can you let them know I may call on their expertise?”
“Consider it done. I’m pleased to hear you’re providing protection for my bridge and all starship command departments.”
“It may not be needed. I’m trying to second-guess what Monty and his wives may attempt. As I said to Dean, we’ve no idea of what Monty’s capabilities might be. He may fight or he may flee. Question for you—how much control do you have over the shuttles?”
“Not much. We can lock the bay doors.”
“I think we should take control of shuttle departures. However, Monty may be tempted to use the Xesset self-destruction technique to kill both crew and mercenaries if he feels totally locked in. It might be better if we can persuade him to escape, to channel him towards a shuttle and once it leaves the bay, destroy it.”
“My Weapons team would like some target practice.”
“Very well. If you’re confident they can hit a small shuttle, perhaps we should allow him an opportunity to escape.”
Two interruptions came simultaneously.
“Commander, we’re intercepting a message addressed to Monty. What do you want us to do with it? It’s coming from a Xesset address.” The speaker was one of the commander’s bridge crew.
“Sir, Sergeant Kirby says there are indications Monty is about to deploy more of his bugs. Shall we destroy them?” The speaker was one of Steg’s guards, relaying a communication from the war room.
Steg said, “Tell Kirby I said yes, and I’ll be there in less than a minute. Sorry, Commander, I have to leave you. Let me know what the message contains.”
“Certainly. Keep me informed, please.”
*****
Chapter 17
Steg joined Sergeant Kirby and his team who were watching a real time video display of the corridor outside the aliens’ tank room. Dean, accompanied by a lieutenant and two sergeants, had already arrived at the war room to liaise with Kirby. As they watched, a dozen or more of Monty’s bugs rushed out from the doorway from the alien habitat and, after a moment’s delay, moved towards the AWE. Its operator-controlled shotgun fire blasted them into tiny fragments. This, according to Kirby, was the second foray by the constructs. Unlike the previous attack, which seemed to have been more an information gathering exercise, these mechanical insects were loaded with explosives, and as each insect was hit by pellets from the AWE, it exploded with a surprising intensity. Fortunately, none of the bugs had reached the weapons unit.
“Move the AWE,” Kirby directed. “Monty knows its position now.”
The operator used the remote controls to move the unit away from the doorway to the other side of the corridor, barely completing the task before another wave of insects was launched. The AWE operator again fired and destroyed all Monty’s bugs without the unit suffering any damage.
“He must have hundreds of the damn things,” Kirby said. “We’ve destroyed about forty so far.”
“Expect larger ones, with more explosives,” Steg said.
The operator, without prompting, moved the AWE still farther back from the doorway, backing it up against the heavy door closing off the corridor; he wanted more space and time to deal with the tiny attackers.
Steg’s guess was correct. The next wave was a mix of bugs escorting three or four larger constructs, each six to eight inches long.
“Hit the big bugs first,” Kirby instructed. The operator had maintained his manual control of the AWE and commenced firing; his shots were accurate. The larger bugs each exploded when hit by small flechettes. Next, the operator targeted the smaller bugs and destroyed them with shotgun blasts before they reached the mobile weapon.
“I think I should speak to Monty to make sure he realizes these attacks will only antagonize us,” Steg said.
“He hasn’t noticed his habitat is leaking water, otherwise he’d be screaming by now. The men have filled the third bladder; they’ve drained over a hundred tons,” Kirby advised.
“Good work. Tell your men to start another b
ladder and keep draining the habitat until you tell them otherwise or they’ve used all the bladders.” Steg turned to Iwao. “Can you rig a connection to Monty without providing him any other access outside his tank?”
The connection was made, and after a small delay, Monty answered. His image and sound were relayed to a smaller display screen.
“Yes?” Monty was abrupt.
“Monty, we’ve closed all the blast doors around your habitat. You’re locked out of Wasp. Your bug attacks are ineffective. Oh, and we’ve drained over a hundred tons of water from your environment,” advised Steg.
Monty’s head rapidly changed colors, settling to a brilliant red. Three of his long tentacles thrashed the water. His voice rose to a scream. “You’ve done what?”
“We’re draining your environment. We’ll stop if you surrender.”
Monty turned his head and appeared to be conferring with his wives, off screen. He returned his attention to Steg, his agitation building.
“You can’t do that to us,” he shouted. “I’ll kill you all if you don’t stop taking our water. You, de Coeur, I’ll make an example of—the agony of your death will resound across Terran space.”
“Monty, threats won’t help. You’re a danger to us and to the ship. You can waste time while we continue to empty your tank, or you can cease hostilities.”
Monty looked away again. His wives were off camera and Steg assumed they were advising him. A long conversation ensued. At last Monty turned back to the camera.
“My wives advise me to listen to you,” the cephalopod said. “What do you propose?”
His body language was less arrogant, thought Steg, although he was still a brilliant red. Steg detailed his requirements, which, he hoped, would ensure the aliens stopped being a threat.
“You must agree to cease your attacks on Wasp, its crew, and the mercenaries. We want cameras inside your tank, monitoring your work areas and all the possible exits from your tank. Surrender your manufacturing equipment and raw material, and your weapons and explosives. If we detect any further threat, we’ll re-commence draining your tank without any warning or discussion. Understood?” Steg had no confidence the alien would cease hostilities; however, he needed to maintain a positive approach while expecting the worst.
Fracture Lines (The Glass Complex Book 2) Page 11