The Privateer 2: AN HONEST LIVING

by Zellmann, William

  Cale nudged her out of the Din-class's hold, and began testing her systems. As an interplanetary ship, she was pretty slow. But since she was intended mostly for orbit-to-ground work, Cale didn't consider that a problem. He dipped into Jumbo's atmosphere and deployed her wings, jet engines, and repellers. Everything operated smoothly, and even the vertical landing on South continent was simple and smooth to accomplish.

  He was testing her on-ground sensors when he received the call from Zant. "Cale, get back up here. They just launched the boat again."

  Chapter 10

  Cale wasted no time lifting the new ship and heading for orbit. The lifeboat was slow and cumbersome, but he would have to hurry to get to the station before the raiding party.

  He was gratified as the ship nearly bounced into the air on her repellers, and transitioned smoothly to level, jet-powered flight. He slammed the throttles to their stops, and was pushed back into his seat. He lifted her nose, and lit off her ion drive for the boost to orbit.

  By the time he reached the space station, though, the trap was being sprung. The blip that was Tor-Jen's ship edged around the station.

  "Lifeboat!" the Captain grated. "You are to match orbits with the space station at a distance of five hundred meters. Anyone attempting to leave your vessel will be shot."

  His voice softened to a more conversational tone. "You've got nowhere to go, boys. Try to boost toward the station, and I'll cut you to ribbons. And your airlock can only handle one person at a time. Personally, I hope you'll try it. My gunner needs the practice. He's from Mountain Home, and he says it'll be just like hunting tril birds back home."

  The voice that answered was young and shaky, though the lifeboat lacked the capacity to generate an image. "This is Lieutenant Jarrow of the Jumbo Colony Defense Forces, calling pirate vessel. You have illegally seized property of the Jumbo Colony. You are ordered to surrender . . ." There was a scuffling sound, and a stronger, gruffer, more mature voice replaced the young one.

  "This is Sergeant-Major Geffen. We surrender. What are your orders?"

  "Adjust your orbit to remain stationary relative to the station, as directed before," Tor-Jen said. "Then wait." He clicked off.

  Cale called the station on a separate frequency. "Anything I can do? I've taken up orbit behind the lifeboat. They won't recognize my ship's class, but I'll definitely be a threat."

  Zant nodded. "Yep. Just hang in there. I think we've got it under control." He grinned. "Can you believe that shavetail lieutenant?"

  Cale smiled. "Yeah. Well, the kid's no coward, I'll give him that."

  "Yeah. With a few years' experience, he's gonna be a fine officer."

  Cale shook his head. "Or a martinet. He's spec ops, don't forget. He could be another Ochoa-Mariden in training."

  They chatted for a few more minutes, until Tor-Jen hailed the lifeboat once more. "Lifeboat. We are sending over an astrogator to adjust your nav comp. You will not interfere with him."

  The voice of Sergeant-Major Geffen was heavy with suspicion. "Why? There's nothing wrong with our nav comp."

  Tor-Jen's screen image shrugged. "He'll be setting an automatic control. Once we let you go, it will automatically start the reentry program, in case you get any ideas of trying to delay, or doing a suicide dive into the station, or trying to figure out a way to attack us." He shrugged. "We don't trust you."

  "He's going to crash us!" came a muffled voice in the background. "Shut up!" Geffen snarled without even turning off his transmitter.

  Tor Jen grinned. "Why would we crash you? If we wanted you dead, you'd be dead by now. You're surrounded by armed ships. We want to make sure you don't try anything stupid. Interfering with our man will be stupid. I'd recommend you keep that Lieutenant under control."

  The reply was heavy, defeated. "Send your man." The Sergeant-Major clicked off.

  A suited figure left the station airlock in a booster frame, a small platform with compressed gas bottles attached, that permitted a suit to maneuver in space. The figure flew rapidly across the 500-meter gap between the station and the lifeboat, and disappeared into the smaller vessel, leaving the booster frame hanging in space, a light tether securing it to the lifeboat.

  As they had suspected, the lifeboat was crammed with suited men, though none were wearing their helmets. Shoulder blasters were neatly stacked near the tiny airlock. The small ship wasn't too crowded, though. Without gravity, the men could occupy all the space in the lifeboat.

  Raye removed his helmet and smiled at the burly figure glowering at him, obviously the Sergeant-Major. Behind him, two men restrained a sandy-haired young man with a thunderous expression.

  "Good morning, boys," he began. "Let me tell you why I'm here. I'm just going to modify your nav comp's programming slightly. Very slightly." He started toward the pilot's console. "All my program does is start the reentry program automatically, if you don't start it yourselves within a set time period. That's it. If you're worried about it, all you have to do is start your reentry program before my program is scheduled to run." He plugged a lead into the pilot's console, waited a moment, and unplugged it.

  He turned back to Geffen. "That's it." He looked at the watch built into his suit's wrist. "You have five minutes from . . . now to start the reentry program running. If you haven't started it within that time, it will start automatically." He started back toward the airlock, and paused to smile at the glowering young man. "By the way, Lieutenant, as far as we're concerned, you're the pirates here." He put his helmet back on and stepped into the airlock. One of the soldiers closed the lock, and in a few moments, Raye was on his way back to the station.

  It was only three minutes later that Geffen's rough voice announced, "reentry program running," and the little ship began to drop lower in its orbit.

  "Guess they didn't trust me," Raye said sadly. "Some people have no faith. Anyway," he continued, "that's it. They'll land fine, but that boat won't take off again until some fried parts are replaced."

  Tonio nodded. "Good. That means we can get on with the real fight without worrying about protecting our rear."

  They had endlessly discussed how to proceed. King Karel was certainly under Ochoa-Mariden's control, if he still lived. Of the remaining five kingdoms, only King Rajo of Valhalla would be sophisticated enough to deal with the spacers, and strong enough to form the nucleus of the resistance.

  But King Rajo and his "wizard" Hiraf would not be happy to see the spacers return. In fact, Hiraf's parting words to Cale and Dee had been threats on their lives if they returned to Valhalla. Of course, that had been before Ochoa-Mariden.

  Still, it was obvious that there was no other choice but to approach Valhalla. The only chance of stopping Ochoa-Mariden was in a mass uprising of the people of Jumbo, to overwhelm the General's better armed and trained troops.

  They decided it would be safest to approach Valhalla in Cheetah, using their flitter. Hiraf, at least, had seen her before, had been aboard her. They were afraid that the arrival of a much larger Din-class would look like an attack or invasion to the locals, and they didn't want to cause mass panic.

  "Besides," Cale said, "Our safest move will be to ground Cheetah in the same spot as before, and use the flitter to fly over the castle with a loud-hailer, asking them to talk to us." He shrugged. "We might have to dodge some arrows and crossbow bolts, and maybe even a few cannon balls. But if we're to have a chance, if Jumbo is to have a chance against the General, we have to chance it."

  This time, the people of Valhalla knew what was coming. Cheetah had barely grounded when a troop of mounted cavalry left the castle.

  Cale launched in the flitter, and detoured around the approaching cavalry, who still fired a few arrows that fell far short. As he approached the castle, Puffs of gray smoke announced the firing of muzzle-loading cannon, whose balls were perfectly capable of destroying the flitter. But an alert Cale dodged them, and began circling the castle, speaking through the loud-hailer.

  "King Rajo! Great Wiza
rd Hiraf! This is Cale Rankin. I'm sure you recognize our ship, and perhaps my voice. We have returned to help you in your fight against the off-world army. I beg you, give us safe passage to the castle, or send your representative to our ship. We are not the same people you are fighting. We have brought help and new weapons to help you fight."

  He set the loud-hailer to repeating his message, and circled the castle several more times before heading back to Cheetah. He wanted to get back to the ship before the cavalry managed to surround it.

  He made it, but not by much. When he parked the flitter in Cheetah's small cargo hold, it was decorated with several arrows. A quick check showed no leaks, though.

  He hurried to join Dee and Tonio in the lounge. "What's happening?"

  Dee shrugged. "They're just forming their circle. Except for shooting at the flitter, they haven't taken any action yet."

  These troops were mounted on Dinos, which explained the speed of their arrival and encirclement. Now that the circle was complete, however, they dismounted, and appeared to be waiting, except for one, apparently a messenger, who headed for the castle at top speed.

  "These aren't guards, like the last bunch," Cale observed. "They're cavalry, and they're armed with bows and crossbows. I think they realize their weapons are useless against Cheetah, so they're just hoping for someone to come out. Somehow, I don't feel inclined to do that."

  Tonio chuckled. "I wouldn't recommend it. Those dinos are fast, aren't they?"

  Dee nodded. "Nomads riding them almost caught us, and we had a pretty good head start," she replied.

  Tonio nodded. "If we stay aboard, I think the only thing we need worry about will be if we see them start to drag one of those cannon down here." He turned to Cale. "What do you think? Will they talk to us?"

  "I think so. We've offered help, and Rajo knows he needs it badly against star men. He won't trust us, though."

  Tonio snickered. "I wouldn't either. After all, you're the one who brought the General here."

  Cale gave him an irritated look. "I'm not likely to forget that. It's most of the reason I’m here now."

  "Sorry."

  It was more than two hours later that the castle gate opened and a messenger riding a dino boiled out of it. At nearly the same time, a flag of plain white was raised on a pole above the building.

  "I think that's our answer," Cale said, activating sensors on Cheetah's exterior.

  Tonio grinned. "I think you're right. The white flag has been the universal signal for parley for thousands of years."

  The dino skidded to a halt, and the messenger slipped from his back, He paused a moment, straightening his clothing before approaching the spaceship proudly.

  "Men of the stars!" He shouted. "His Majesty, King Rajo of Valhalla has graciously consented to parley with you. Your safe conduct is guaranteed regardless of the outcome of the parley. This is the word of His Majesty, the most gracious Rajo, King of Valhalla."

  Cale triggered the airlock and the hatch slid smoothly open. The herald, or messenger, stepped back warily until Cale appeared in the open hatch.

  "Please conduct our thanks to His Majesty for his courtesy. Our small vessel will land in the courtyard in half an hour. We will need a cleared area the size of a large wagon. There will be three in our delegation. We will, of course, be unarmed."

  The messenger bowed, and then turned and boarded his dino, bounding off at high speed.

  "So," Tonio asked, "What's the uniform for greeting feudal kings? Some kind of fancy robes?"

  Dee shuddered. "Please! We did that nonsense once. I vote for simple shipsuits. We're not trying to impress him with our wealth."

  Cale nodded. "I second the motion. Comfort above all!" He turned to Tonio. "I trust you've got a good selection of samples stowed in the flitter," he said. "Those are what we hope will impress the king!"

  Tonio grinned. "I've got four compound bows with a good selection of arrows, both kinds of pneumatic crossbows, with bolts, two of our breechloading rifles, with a good supply of ammunition, and some minigrenades. Of course, my wrist comp has designs and specifications for quite a number of other weapons."

  "Those should work; they'll be the weapons the king and his people will be most familiar with." Cale replied.

  Precisely one half hour after the messenger arrived at the castle, Cale landed the flitter in the courtyard. A large semicircle of curious courtiers shied backward, but pushed forward again as the flitter settled to the ground. The canopy lifted, and Cale hurried around to offer Dee a hand to the ground. There were audible gasps and a rumble of comment as the courtiers realized that Dee was a woman, and was wearing a shipsuit – trousers!

  The assembled courtiers fled like a flock of birds as Hiraf, the King's Wizard, approached leading six guardsmen.

  He bowed to Cale and Dee. "Milord, Milady, I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you again, but under the circumstances . . . " He caught sight of Tonio. "And I do not believe I have met this gentleman," He continued.

  Cale smiled. "King's Wizard, sage, student, and teacher Hiraf, It is my pleasure to present Doctor Antonio Padraca, University professor, and foremost expert on low-technology weapons on the planet of Santiago."

  Tonio smiled widely at the obviously impressed Hiraf. "Ah! It is a great honor to meet Jumbo's foremost scientist, teacher, and student. After all, all teachers are also students, are we not?"

  Hiraf visibly relaxed, and smiled. "And are you also a healer, Doctor? That is a term for a surgeon, is it not?"

  Tonio's smile never wavered. "Regrettably, no. In our culture, it is customary to address scientists of a certain level as 'doctor' as an honorary title. It does lead to occasional confusion, however. I would be honored if you would simply address me as a colleague, 'Tonio'. And how may I address you, sire? Would you prefer 'Wizard'?"

  Hiraf looked distressed. "Oh, my, no. That title, like these ridiculous robes, is merely a subterfuge, to impress the ignorant. Please, I would be honored if so eminent a man would simply call me 'Hiraf' . . . Tonio."

  Cale suppressed a grin. Tonio had hit just the right tone with Hiraf. He hoped he would do as well with King Rajo.

  King Rajo was younger than Cale expected, in his mid-twenties, perhaps. He was slim and elegant, but he moved with a grace and economy of movement that testified that his was whipcord thinness, not weakness. His narrow face featured a prominent nose and chin.

  Hiraf introduced them as "The star visitors, Lord Cale and Lady Delilah Rankin, and Professor-doctor Antonio Padraca,"

  The king gave them a bare nod in response to their deep bows. "Sire Rankin, you are the star man who tricked our friend and ally King Karel of Nirvana into giving your people the Cursed Lands, and losing his kingdom for his generosity." His voice was high, his tone cold.

  Cale took in air to reply, but the king continued, "And you, Lady Rankin, are the healer who gave him back his life."

  Dee bowed again. "I know your Majesty is aware that it was star science, not my own poor skills that saved our friend King Karel."

  The king looked surprised. "You name him friend? Even after bringing monsters to Jumbo?"

  It was Cale who replied. "We consider him such, and hope he will again so consider us, if we can help him regain his kingdom. Have you news of him, your Majesty? Or of Ulrik, his great-nephew?"

  The king frowned. "We would think that you would have more timely information than we, sire Cale," he replied. "The invaders are your people, after all."

  Cale shook his head. "That is why we are here, your Majesty. I'm sure that Master Hiraf reported that our original intent was to bring peaceful farmers to Jumbo. But upon our return to Santiago, we learned that others had joined their number. Santiago recently lost a war, and many of her soldiers were released. We, and the Greeners, were told these men were veterans, seeking a peaceful life after years of war.

  "Farmers are peaceful folk, your Majesty. These did not realize that their new members were being sought for trial and possible ex
ecution for the dishonorable and vicious methods of their fighting during the war.

  "When we returned from Jumbo, we learned of this. We contacted Professor-Doctor Padraca, here to help us in designing and making weapons with which the people of Jumbo could fight the invaders. We and our partners have beggared ourselves to bring a ship full of these weapons here."

  The king frowned. "You execute soldiers for fighting too hard?"

  Cale shook his head. "No, Majesty. But over the centuries certain laws of warfare have become universal. They cover such things as the honorable treatment of prisoners, or the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians. The General and his men were vicious and indiscriminate killers."

  "There is no honor in killing civilians."

  Cale shook his head again. "No Majesty, there isn't. That is why the General and his men are considered criminals, and would be hanged on Ilocan or Santiago.

  "When we learned of their identities, we searched for ways to help. We could not afford to hire more soldiers, and they would be no more welcome than then General's people, anyway.

  "Ochoa-Mariden has only about three hundred soldiers," he continued, "But he has equipment and weapons far in advance of those on Jumbo. I . . . "

  "Cale!" Tess's voice interrupted him. "Zant reports four flitters heading this way. They have to be the General's armed ones. They will arrive in just over two hours."

  Cale turned his attention back to the king. "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I have just been told that the General's armed flitters are headed this way. He knows that I will have to contact you, and I assume he plans to attack from the air before we can form an alliance."

  The king jumped to his feet. "The flyers? The ones that spit fire?"

  Cale nodded. "Yes, Majesty. But he no longer has eyes in the sky, and cannot see that we are already here. My ship can also spit fire, and we have at least one other. There is no need to fear; we will deal with them."