Wandering Engineer 6: Pirates Bane

by Chris Hechtl

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, smiling. “It's a pleasure to see you all here,” he said.

  “We're a bit nervous, but ready Admiral,” Ian said, glancing at the others. The Admiral nodded, surveying the group. Sindri was there, but not Kinja. Gustov and Craig Lewis were standing quietly in the back. Gustov would be the senior Marine, a first Lieutenant. Mister Lewis had agreed to a lesser rank of Second Lieutenant to keep the chain of command clear. He was however, quite capable of filling Gustov's shoes though.

  Enric was there, seemingly jittery. Both of the Glenns were there. The Admiral nodded politely to them. He turned. He didn't know Trey Ulster well, nor Raoul Lee, but he had at least met them briefly. Both were good men, but quiet. Two other men and one woman were with them. He didn't recognize them; they were from the Le More. Sprite had their names hovering over their heads, Bill Peters, Gord Archer, and Brandon Bynum.

  The hatch opened behind the Admiral and he turned as he got out of the way. “Are we late?” a voice asked.

  “No,” the Admiral said. “Just in time actually,” he said, moving to the head of the table. “It's tight quarters though,” he cautioned. “So you better squeeze in,” he warned.

  An additional eight men and one woman came in. The single female was Kelly Frowe. But behind her the hatch was stopped from closing and another woman entered. This one was on crutches. Mary Apple came in slowly. “I'm not late am I?” she asked.

  “Nope,” Ian said with a welcoming smile. “The more the merrier,” he said, moving aside.

  “Cute,” Mary sniffed in disdain. She leaned against the bulkhead once she was in the room. She looked a little sweaty but determined.

  The Admiral nodded to her. She wasn't ship shape, but she was willing. Her spirit was there. They could and would do something about her body. Quick heal was kicking in, he could see her bruises were mostly gone, but she still had a ways to go before the bullet wounds was fully healed. He turned to the new men.

  Jacob Larson he heard was a good power tech in engineering. He'd borrowed the young man briefly to inspect Phoenix's reactor and set him up with some of the easier repairs. Thomas Burrows was a bit of a handy man. He'd had a job briefly in ship's security but was now interested in a marine posting. Jim Olson was another security man, also interested in the marines, though he had expressed interest in bridge duties. It seemed the marines would be over represented, the Admiral thought.

  Jory Gray was a nineteen-year-old young man who Sprite had singled out as an up and coming cyberneticist with a willingness to learn. That was good.

  Mark Anderson had just been released from sickbay yesterday. The Admiral had only met him briefly in passing. Enric Patter was of course there; he'd serve well as an OPS officer, starting as an Ensign. Tim Brown was another young man who he had only just met in passing in sickbay he had a thing for shuttles.

  Ezri Patterson was interested in the Cobra fighters. He had little stick time however. Jesus Cortez was interested in being a boat bay officer. He was the oldest in the compartment other than the Admiral, but ready it to serve it seemed. Ornell Drago was another man the Admiral barely knew.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome,” the Admiral, said as the holo projector in the center of the table came to life. Bounty was standing there in uniform, proudly standing at attention. “Welcome to the Federation Navy and Marines. Now, if you'll all raise your right hands...”

  <----*----*----*---->

  Once the swearing in was complete the Admiral handed out officer ident implant packages. Each was a series of pills. The steward opened his hatch and passed a tray of drinks in. As each person came to take their pill the Admiral initialized it and programmed it with their name, rank, serial number, and MOS. Ian McGuyver and Vestri Sindri would start as Lieutenant commanders. Half of the senior members in the compartment would start as first lieutenants since all had years of prior experience in their civilian lives. Officers with prior experience who were in assistant roles would serve as Lieutenants. The youngest members would start out as jig's or ensigns. That was fine, they all had room to grow. If they played their roles right they would grow explosively soon. Hopefully not too fast, he still wasn't certain of a few of his people. And he couldn't train them too hard, too many information downloads and sleep teaching periods could lead to a wave of seizures and other issues.

  Once they were finished he smiled, putting the concerns for the future briefly aside. “Now we get to work until we drop,” he said wickedly. That got a depreciating laugh. “Dismissed ladies and gentlemen. And next time? Let's find some place to meet with more elbow room,” he teased. That got another laugh.

  Hoshi waited outside the compartment, standing a few meters from the hatch as they exited. “Admiral,” the woman said when Irons stepped over the knee hatch combing and out into the companionway. Irons nodded to the others and came over to her. “Do you understand why I didn't sign on?” She asked coldly.

  He nodded. Her refusal and body language put a slight damper on his good mood. “Some people don't have the stomach for fighting. It's understandable.”

  “That isn't it. I can and will fight when I have to. But I have no interest in this war, just in surviving it. And it will be a war.”

  “I know.”

  “Good.”

  “I want a ship,” she said. “A freighter. I was going to be Captain of Jaw-te eventually, now that's out. Since Franx is dead, I want Le More.” She looked at him. “You and I both know I can handle it. And you'll need someone on each of those ships.”

  He nodded again. “I'd gathered that. It is possible, but we have to get there first Miss Hoshi, right now, anything is possible,” he replied with a shrug as the hatch opened again. He turned to see Irina come out.

  The younger woman stepped over the knee knocker and then froze for a moment, staring at Hoshi. “Hi,” she said softly.

  Hoshi looked coldly at Irina. Irina flinched but held her chin high. “I told you, I did what I thought was right. I'm following my head and my heart,” Irina said softly. Hoshi studied her for a moment, then turned a glare on Irons. After a moment she left. Irina murmured she needed to get some rest and left as well.

  “What was that about?” Irons asked, watching the woman go.

  “You really want to know gossip Admiral?” Sprite asked, sounding amused but distracted.

  “If it affects me or my people, yes,” he replied.

  “Very well.” He found out from Sprite that Irina's signing on had created a wedge between the two women.

  “I didn't even know they were a couple,” he said.

  “Not anymore. Miss Nobeki has applied for separate quarters. I guess military life isn't for everyone.”

  “Or the spat may end when they realize they still love one another. We'll see,” he said with a shrug. “Out of my hands. Please be supportive but don't intervene unless it affects the ship or mission.”

  “Of course Admiral,” Sprite replied, sounding slightly aggrieved. “I might meddle sometimes, but I mean well. But right now I'm too busy.”

  “Good,” the Admiral chuckled, shaking his head.

  “Hey!”

  “Hey yourself,” he teased with a smile. “You were the one complaining about being bored on Phoenix. I think this more than makes up for it, don't you?”

  “Cute Admiral,” Sprite sighed.

  <----*----*----*---->

  Caid came in for his shift and paused to look around. Main engineering was changing daily. New faces, new equipment. A lot to learn. It was getting to be too much.

  Sindri, Lieutenant Commander Sindri was in the corner with a pair of kids. Sindri looked like a goofball in his military uniform. He preened a bit though, quite proud of it. The kids were barely teenagers, they were all agog over the uniform, as were just about everyone else. He was surprised the Horathians hadn’t snagged them. Apparently they had been lost or hidden in the herd. Caid paused to listen to them.

  “Okay boys, one more time. Fittings come in diffe
rent shapes and stuff, but they have two colors. The military and vehicle industry adopted the color standards from Terra's aerospace industry a long time ago,” Sindri explained. He held up a red fitting. “Red fittings are fixed in place, do not touch.” He turned and put it away. “Now, blue fittings are changeable or removable. Got it?”

  “Red is hot so not, Blue is good. Got it.”

  “Okay now this,” Sindri held up a block of metal with a few bits on it. “This is a flare tool. A flare tool is used to create flares. You place one end of the pipe in the die, clamp it together, then apply this tool to make the pipe flare into the die cavity.” Now, what is the most common?” He pointed to one kid.

  “Um.. Ninety?”

  “You're kidding,” Caid said, shaking his head.

  Sindri looked up in irritation and then back to his student. “No, forty five degrees is the most common, though some have custom angles. Get the flare angle to match up or you won't have a proper seal, get it?”

  Caid snorted and shook his head as one boy scratched his head. Sindri looked up and glared. Caid shrugged and turned away. He went over to his station.

  “Kid's never going to get it. He's too stupid,” he scoffed, flopping down onto a stool next to Yosef.

  “Give them a break. Everyone starts out not knowing the ropes. Give them time and they'll figure it out,” Yosef replied, sounding annoyed. He glanced at Caid and then his boss.

  “Yeah well, Sindri's becoming a prima dona with that suit and fancy rank. Like it's real,” he scoffed.

  “It's real. And you should respect him. He can tie you into a knot easy,” Yosef said. “Or I might if you don't watch your mouth.”

  “What's gotten into you?” Caid demanded. “Don't tell me you're going along with this pipe dream?” he demanded. “Yosef, that's not like you!”

  “You know, I think I am,” Yosef said quietly. “It's time to be an adult. To put away childish things. Someone has to stand up for those who can't,” he said, turning to nod to Sindri's young apprentice. “Or those who won't,” he said, voice and eyes in sympathy as he stared at Caid.

  Caid turned away. “Quit looking at me like that. I'm not cut out to wear a damn uniform,” he growled.

  “Then don't judge those of us who chose to do so,” Yosef said softly.

  <----*----*----*---->

  “Admiral, a problem,” Bounty said, as the Admiral exited the shower. Tomorrow they were planning the ceremony. If things worked out as planned. He reminded himself not everything did, case in point, Bounty's call.

  “Yes?” he asked, drying off. AI cared little for human modesty.

  “The recruiting is driving a wedge into the crew. Some are taking sides. It hasn't boiled over into violence, but you should be aware there is a rift forming,” the AI said.

  “I know,” the Admiral said, getting dressed. He had actually expected it. Putting on the uniform set people apart. It put them in a fraternity of brotherhood, comrades in arms that some civilians couldn't handle or hardly understand.

  Sprite had replicated a dress uniform for him. It was hanging in the closet. Hathaway's outfits, including the leather chaps and harness had been recycled after being scanned for intelligence value. Irons was glad of their absence, especially the chaps. They had blood on them, and he was pretty sure they weren't from the late Captain.

  “I noticed it with Miss Hoshi and Lieutenant Nobeki. It's to be expected. I had thought it would happen eventually, there is a culture for mainstream civilians and military personnel. That is why we put our people through training, to re-socialize them. Unfortunately we can't do that here.”

  “Yes sir. I thought you should be made aware however.”

  “Thank you Lieutenant,” the Admiral replied. “I think once we get the ceremony over and get one or both of the freighters online we will be able to separate the crews.”

  “Yes sir. Miss Kinja is still on the fence.”

  “I see. Well, if she doesn't commit, she may never commit. That's fine. They'll need good engineers on the Le More.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Situation normal. Repairs to the refinery have begun. You used milspec electronics in the original design, but not hardened ones. Commander Sindri had considered testing and reusing them but instead opted for a full tear out and replace. That will allow him to replace the electronics with class four hardened electronics and shielding. It still isn't perfect, but the best we can do with the materials on hand. That has delayed the schedule by two days sir.”

  “Expected. I think Commander Sindri expects a failure in the old system so is doing this as a preventive measure. Good. I'm glad he's not just going with it,” the Admiral said. Over the centuries ships and stations were kept together well past their designed life times. Many without proper parts, held together with rigging tape and hope. It was good to see the engineer not falling into that ideal, to just do the tear out. It would delay the initial launch, but if the old electronics harbored hidden damage, it could cause a longer delay or even loss of the platform. Both things they couldn't afford right now.

  “There has been an altercation in the brig. Mister Clancy's actions during the mutiny were brought to light to the other Horathians. A physical confrontation ensued. Mister Clancy was injured.”

  “Anyone else hurt?”

  “Minor contusions and bloodied faces.”

  “Fine,” the Admiral said dismissively. He could care less if the Horathians beat each other senseless. “What else?”

  “Commander Sprite is deep in software issues. Phoenix is holding station with Le More. Do you still intend to dock her with the freighter?”

  “Yes.” Enric had suggested they dock the three ships together. Phoenix would supply power and parts to the other ships. For now that would work. Bounty had no use for Phoenix at the moment. They were en-route to the Anderson. It would take them another day to arrive, and then four days to push the ship back to the others.

  While they did that a volunteer crew was on the three ships, doing what they could for the two freighters. Phoenix was to act as their habitat until Bounty returned.

  “Do it,” the Admiral said. “If they can, have them use the ship's replicators to get a jump on Le More's repairs,” the Admiral said. He'd let Hoshi take charge of the repair party. It got her out of his hair and away from Nobeki.

  “Aye sir. I've passed on the order.”

  “After they do the survey of course. And remind them not to try anything cute with my ship or my replicators. We'll be back soon and Phoenix will be watching,” the Admiral growled.

  <----*----*----*---->

  The next morning volunteers rushed to get dressed and ready. The Admiral exited his compartment in full dress uniform, complete with cover and medals.

  Crewmen who saw him got out of his way. He politely nodded in passing. He could hear the murmurs as the scuttlebutt mill hit its stride and smiled. There was nothing like a positive first impression.

  “How are we doing Commander?” he asked, nodding again as he passed Ian. Ian smiled and came to attention. The Admiral paused as Ian saluted. He returned the salute. Ian had apparently been studying.

  “Something on your mind Commander?” he asked.

  “You look good sir,” Ian said. “I wish I could be there,” he said.

  “You can watch from the bridge. Someone's got to man the store while the rest of us go through this,” the Admiral replied.

  “Yes sir,” Ian replied and then grinned. “And something tells me as glad as you are that you are in uniform, you'd much rather be in your day uniform up to your elbows in some repair job,” he teased.

  “You've gotten to know me well in a short time Commander,” Irons replied with a chuckle. “I know you and the others will be there in spirit,” he said.

  “Aye sir.”

  “Carry on then Commander,” Irons said.

  Ian nodded and moved out smartly.

  Promptly at five twenty eight AM s
hip time the Admiral arrived at the hatch to the boat bay. “How do I look?” he asked one last time.

  “You ask now? With one minute to go?” Sprite asked amused. “Fine or I would have pointed out a problem as always Admiral,” she said.

  “True,” the Admiral replied. “Thanks Commander,” he said quietly. “Bounty, the hatch field?”

  “It has been tested and is ready Admiral.”

  “Good. Let's do this.”

  The hatch opened and he stepped through as Bounty played a whistle. Irons stepped smartly to a podium that had been set up in front of the main hatch. He turned smartly, came to the podium and then stopped.

  Through his sensors he could see the flags draped nearby. One, the flag of the Federation. Another, the flag of the navy, the third, the flag of the Marine Corps. The final one was a flag with the ship's crest on it. He felt his shoulders straighten as his cool eyes surveyed the group.

  All were enlisted ratings. A few would become non-commissioned officers. They were on the ends of each row. There were a hundred and twenty five people there; all but one was a human. A lone neochimp was also there, near the front row along with half the officers he had sworn in the other day. They looked good, all in navy or marine day uniforms. There were thirty marine enlisted and ninety-five spacers. A good start.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, rise and uncover for the anthem of the Federation,” Bounty intoned, just as they had rehearsed.

  Irons turned and saluted the flag as the rich melody began to play. He could hear and sense the people behind him, but for now that wasn't important. He did note with a sense of approval that the officers were also saluting as well. Good.

  They all had their part to play, and his was only just beginning. It was his stage, his show. Sprite, Bounty, Phoenix, and Defender were all there off to one side, standing at attention. He was glad they had gotten the portable holo projectors to work so they could be seen here at this important time. Lieutenant Bynum's solution to their visibility issue had been simple; he had deactivated the lights directly over the AI avatars so they could be seen easily.

  When the anthem was over the Admiral struck his salute smartly and then turned once more to the podium. He stood there for a long moment, studying them once more. Then he spoke.