Retribution Required

by C. R. Daems

  "Direct hits. I doubt we did major damage but I'll bet we did more than rattle their ship." Kraig had a smile that split his face in half. I had my attention on the asteroids as our acceleration increased. "But what happens when they catch us?"

  "They won't. He will have to increase his acceleration to four hundred gravities to catch us since I've a significant lead and maintaining three hundred gravities. That would be close to suicide for a cruiser. Those cruisers don't have the maneuverability of a small craft like the Tykhe. He'd be risking his ship and its crew."

  "What about the Tykhe’s crew?" Kraig asked but didn't take his focus from the weapons panel.

  "It's all or nothing for us. At this speed in an asteroid belt it increases our risk of a collision but improves our odds of surviving to find the Easy Trader and avoid a slug fest with the Raiders." It took all my attention to map my way through and around the various rocks, while looking for any sign of the other cruiser and the merchant. "I just hope the merchant didn't abandon the search and leave it to the cruisers."

  "That would make sense…unless the captain of the merchant ship is an ex-military captain. Then the chase would be too much to ignore," Kraig said.

  "He couldn't assume his missiles would be any better than mine." I knew there was a limit on the weapons a ship could have and qualify as a merchant.

  "No, but his ego would make him assume you weren't his equal and an easy kill."

  I snorted. "If we were both in cruisers and in open space. But we aren't— Found him," I shouted. "Get ready, Kraig, the contest is about to begin." I was accelerating at three times his speed so I headed directly at him.

  "Fired," Kraig whooped with excitement as we streaked by. “Two direct hits. The Easy Trader also fired but late and his two missiles are off course."

  I watched as the merchant began accelerating after us. If Kraig was right and the captain was ex-military, he was probably on an adrenaline fight-mode high. If I were lucky he’d hit an asteroid and I wouldn't have to engage him in a missile duel.

  "Well, I found the other cruiser," I said, cursing my nonexistent luck.

  "Two incoming," Kraig said, his voice steady even though he had limited options as they weren't chasing us but on a collision course. The lasers fired but weren't effective at the combined speed of the missiles and the Tykhe. A second before impact I rose several degrees, causing the missile to pass harmlessly underneath as they were unable to maintain a lock on our position.

  "Fired," Kraig said, and a moment later, "two hits."

  I immediately began deceleration. Several minutes later I had turned one hundred eighty degrees and began weaving back towards the Easy Trader and the cruiser. I had slowed considerably but going against the flow was more dangerous as the asteroid speed was now combined with the Tykhe's.

  "Get ready, Kraig." I said, knowing the Easy Trader would be in range for only a second or two at our current passing velocity.

  "Fired," Kraig said. "One hit, I think."

  I maneuvered out of the asteroid and turned again, getting ready to enter for another pass when a Raider cruiser appeared.

  "Two incoming." Kraig's fingers danced over the ECM panel, dispensing chaff. I headed back into the asteroid field. My weaving to avoid asteroids lost one and the chaff diverted the other. A minute later I saw the Easy Trader trailing debris and headed toward it.

  "Kraig, get ready," I said and several seconds later, "now!" I felt the shudder as two missiles left the Tykhe.

  “Two hits…the East Trader exploded,” Kraig whooped, jumping up with fists over his head.

  I immediately began to increase speed as I worked to find a path out of the field but toward the Motif. I hoped the cruisers would be looking for me to exit toward Dacca or to exit the system. Fifteen minutes later I located a moon and headed for it. An hour later we were in a stable orbit at minimum power.

  * * *

  Kraig and I performed a complete inspection of the inside and outside of the ship and found damage to twenty-five places from small asteroid strikes. Fortunately none of the damage was critical, but since we decided it best to stay hidden we spent the time doing repairs.

  "That was a ride I’d rather not repeat," Kraig said as we sat in the galley eating late the second night. "I wonder if either of those cruisers incurred any damage looking for us?"

  "My father had me spend many hours on a simulation he had made and many more hours over the years practicing in various asteroid fields. The trick is ignoring what will happen if you are too slow in responding and concentrating on what is happening. You need one hundred percent of your attention on what you are doing and some luck." I laughed. "Actually, at the speeds we were going, you need a lot of luck."

  * * *

  On the fourth day we decided to see if we could leave without being detected. I headed directly for the asteroid field, thinking once there we would be harder to detect. I was wrong. The Raiders hadn't given up.

  "Raider cruiser," I said. "Coming from behind moon M217. One hundred thousand klicks."

  "Four incoming," Kraig shouted. I wasn't going to make the asteroid field before the missiles caught up with us, so I turned back to the moon we had used, hoping the missiles would lose track since we would be behind the moon at least ten seconds before the missiles caught up. It worked as nothing followed us. I continued circumnavigating the moon—mistake. The Raider cruiser must have boosted several seconds because it was coming directly at us as we rounded the moon.

  "Four incoming," Kraig screamed. I hit the booster control lever and crossed my fingers that Orville’s enhanced boosters were as good as he’d claimed. The control room, Kraig, and Shadi seemed to disappear for several seconds and I had the eerie feeling of standing suspended in space, before everything returned to normal. When I looked the Tykhe was only seconds from entering the asteroid field and our speed close to max. Time stood still as I worked to slow the ship, dodge asteroids, and find clear paths to navigate. I know from the grating sound and jolts that the Tykhe grazed or hit several rocks. Then before my heart cracked a rib or two we broke free of the asteroids. I did a quick navigational check and set us on a course for Dacca while watching for any ships following us.

  "That was exciting, Zen. I doubt an experienced ACS captain could have pulled off that maneuver."

  "I'm not just a pretty face," I quipped, hugging Shadi in an attempt to calm myself. Now that it was all over I was shaking uncontrollably. A few minutes later Kraig appeared and handed me a beer.

  "I think we both earned one," he said, still looking pale. I nodded and took several large swallows then laughed.

  "We owe Orville, Nicole, and Clyde big time. I wonder if I can send Christmas presents to the asteroid-with-no-name."

  "And Colonel Sherman for authorizing it."

  I began laughing as I reached over to the weapons panel, loaded two missiles, and pressed the Fire button.

  "Who are you firing at?" Kraig asked staring at the control panel. I continued laughing and hugged Shadi, who licked my face in response.

  "The Black Hand," I said, continuing to laugh with genuine glee. "Partial Retribution."

  "Partial… Oh, you just sent the two missiles with their contraband into space. But they are going to—"

  "Do nothing. We were attacked by pirates and forced to defend ourselves. And two of the goddamn missiles were defective. I'm considering filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer."

  "Kraig laughed." Clever. There must have been close to a million credits worth of contraband in those two missiles—"

  "And the package for the Captain," I said and laughed again. "And you have enough to give Sherman a location for the Raiders."

  "You going to retire now?" he asked, his face serious.

  "No, I think retribution is still required."

  "You're not serious?" Kraig said, frowning with a look of concern.

  "Of course. I'm a child of the Rim. We may not have the mountain of rules the ACS has and we may break most of t
hem in the name of living free…but we have some rules written in the same battle metal the ACS writes theirs. You don't let people piss on you without consequences—retribution is required."

  "Sounds like the old Hatfields’ and the McCoys’ feud. Seems senseless."

  "You settle pissing contests with lawyers. You want money compensation. We settle them more directly. We want an eye for an eye. Much more satisfying."

  "All right. I'll stay around to watch and help if I can. The Raider mission isn't over until they are destroyed." He laughed. "An eye for an eye—no lawyers."

  * * *

  We received a lot of attention when I reported that we had been attacked by pirates. Customs was skeptical when we had no cargo. The police were interested in the details but not the incident since they didn't have jurisdiction. Planet security wasn't interested until I told them I thought I had destroyed the ship. Then the Tykhe's weapons became of interest and me as a potential smuggler until an inspection of my missiles revealed them to be standard looking merchant equipment. After two days of questions I arranged for repairs to the ship, which were estimated at seventy to one hundred thousand credits. Fortunately, the repairs were all external so no one would be examining the internal systems. I chose not to replace the used missiles for now.

  "The Black Hand must be dying to get on the Tykhe. Since we haven't left the ship because of inspections and questions, they must feel like addicts in withdrawal, having to wait to examine the missile compartment," he said and grinned. "I’d love to be here when they find their missiles and its contents gone."

  "What do you think they will do when they find their special missiles missing?" I asked. I had my own ideas but wanted a second opinion.

  "Get mad…then get clever and replace two of the existing missile with two… Oh, that wouldn't be a good idea. I don't know what Nicole did to the existing ones but I doubt the ACS would like to share it with the Black Hand." Kraig was frowning with concern that was slowly turning to fear.

  "Then you'll help." I smiled.

  * * *

  The next day Kraig went off to update Sherman through his connections and I decided to stop in at the merchant's guild. There I contracted to take a few shipments for Divona. Afterward I headed for the Drum Club on the off chance of finding some more lucrative business and to maintain the illusion I was still smuggling… although I wasn't sure what I was doing anymore. Was smuggling a cover for my work with the AIA? Did I intend to continue smuggling in the RIM when this mission was over? Did I intend to become a legitimate merchant? Of course, the answer depended on whether I lived to complete the mission and the ACS allowed me to go my way.

  "The Drum Club, Spacer," the taxi driver shouted, jerking me out of my musing. From the look on his face he must have been trying to get my attention for some time. I paid him and exited.

  The building had no visible windows and looked like a typical warehouse. There was no signage but the two glass doors had a video of various drummers performing. It was a bit spooky since there was no sound on the street. Inside, however, the sound filled the lobby. Monitors showed clips of the various performances, along with the time and day they would be live. Instead of going to the ticket booth I went to the information booth where a young dark-skinned woman sat.

  "Can I help you, Spacer?" she asked as I approached.

  "Where can I find Miss Sasaki?"

  "She has a private box in the Circle but the upper level has restricted access. You'll need a ticket or pass," she said, looking apologetic.

  "Can you send her a message?" I asked. When she nodded, I continued. "Tell her Zenaida would like to speak to her if she isn't busy."

  The girl called someone who relayed my message. After a several-minute delay, the girl smiled and looked up at me. "The guard at the stairway will admit you. Miss Sasaki is in Box one."

  "I think you will have to leave the pet with someone," the guard said, looking at Shadi, who sat looking up at him.

  "Miss Sasaki has authorized me access and she knows Shadi," I nodded to her, "is my constant companion."

  The guards talked to someone and after another several minutes he removed the chain that blocked the entrance and let Shadi and me pass. I found Box one easily and knocked. A muscular man with two swords in his belt answered. He looked me and Shadi over before letting us enter. When I entered Miss Sasaki waved me over to an empty seat next to her. The chairs had high backs, padding, and were covered with a plush velvet material.

  "It's been a long time, Zen. You are much talked about since your father died," she said, appraising me as I sat. "Something to eat or drink?"

  "No, thank you, Miss Sasaki. I didn't mean to disrupt you. I was just wondering if you had anything needing a carrier," I asked, just as the Japanese drummers began the introduction to the next act.

  "Maybe. Can you transport twelve entertainers for me?" she asked and smiled.

  "And?" I asked. She knew I smuggled for a living so the request probably had an ulterior motive.

  "The Morra Tribal Dance group uses a drug which isn't illegal where they live on Saket or here on Dacca, but customs confiscate the drug and demand an exorbitant fee to bring it on planet. I would be willing to give you twenty-five percent of the fee if…"

  "Penalty if caught?" I asked, merely to ascertain the risk and therefore if twenty-five percent was reasonable.

  "Confiscation of the drug, triple the fee as a fine, and six months in jail. More a large inconvenience."

  "The drug smells…"

  "Stinks." She laughed.

  "Do you use the group often?"

  "Yes, they are very popular. They burn the drug during their act, which has a euphoric effect on them…and the audience."

  "What is the weight and volume of the drug?"

  "Powder which weighs around a kilo."

  "My twenty-five percent?" I asked, not liking the idea of transporting that many people but if the profit was enough I might be willing. For the next part of my plan for the Black Hand, my next stop didn't matter.

  "Thirty," she said, and a slight smile touched her black painted lips, which contrasted with her white-painted face.

  "One hundred," I said watching her face turn to a frown, but I spoke before she could. "And I'll bring you three kilos."

  She laughed. "Your father and you are never a disappointment. Deal."

  "I would suggest the group bring a small token amount with them so customs will have something to confiscate. Makes it look normal and wouldn't cost you much to redeem. Might even give you leverage to negotiate a lower price if you threaten to stop using the drug."

  * * *

  "Don't you ever stop looking for…extra money?' Kraig asked when I explained where I had been. "You already have enough to retire comfortably.

  "A girl can never have too much comfort," I said in my best sweet-little-girl voice. "Besides, if anyone is watching it would seem strange if I didn't look."

  Kraig nodded understanding. I grabbed two beers, set one in front of Kraig, opened my tablet, and hit the foot print icon. Immediately I saw what I had expected—two persons had entered the Tykhe while we were gone. They had entered the control room and the missile compartment.

  "Surprise," Kraig said with a large grin. "That was a stroke of genius, dumping those two missiles. Not only is it a significant financial loss but it's the perfect way to get rid of the Black Hand."

  "I doubt it." Actually I hoped not.

  "They still have access but—" He frowned. "You expect them to replace the missiles."

  "Yes. They have to assume I shot them off in the engagement with the pirates. Since they know the secret of how they work. So it should be easy to have two new ones made, sneak in, and replace them for two of the existing ones."

  "And you intend to?"

  "Have an excuse to eliminate their access.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Star System: Saket

  We arrived on Saket ten days later. I wasn't in a rush as it would take t
ime for the Black Hand to construct two new missiles. I thought twenty days more than enough time, even if they had them built in another system and shipped to Dacca—where they knew we would have to return.

  The customs inspection was routine since the purpose of my trip was to pick up the dance troupe. When they had signed off I left for the Island Club to meet the troupe's agent and made arrangements.

  The Island Club was more like a series of large huts where a variety of nightly acts took place and others where one could dine or visit the spa facilities. The performances attracted tourists as well as merchants and business people stopping at Saket. At the entrance gate I was directed to a two-story building which were residences and offices.

  "Pilot Zenaida, welcome. I'm Ndidi, the troupe's spokesman. I understand that you are going to carry our Yuzzo powder for us. Very expensive to bring to Dacca," a very tall, brown skinned man said as I entered the main office. He was dressed in an assortment of mismatched clothing: sandals, knee length pants, tie dye T-shirt, and a suede vest. His black shoulder-length hair looked unkempt and scraggly. When he saw me evaluating his clothing, he smiled. "Have to look the part for the tourist. Makes them think they can outsmart the ignorant savage." He surprised me when he squatted to look at Shadi face to face. "Like that docile-looking cat sitting obediently by your side. Looks like a pretty kitty unless you see the leopard eyes tracking your every movement."

  I had to laugh. My father would have loved the man. He had a keen intellect and a good sense of humor. "Yes, the art of the con. I will carry three kilo of Yuzzo but I'll want you to carry a couple of ounces for customs to find and confiscate," I said, not sure what he had been told. He roared with laughter.