Echoes from Yesterday: Pirates of the Badlands Series Book 4

by Sean Benjamin

  “I can understand the depression of Captain Reynaud. Tough to lose a ship and most of the crew.”

  Levant agreed and then added. “I’m sorry for the loss of your two ships. I understand they went down with all hands. Must have been some unlucky hits to get the entire crews like that.”

  Rafe slightly shook his head in response. “We don’t carry escape pods so we die with our ships.”

  Levant looked puzzled. “Why don’t you have pods?”

  Rafe gave him a shrug. “Who would pick us up?”

  “I would,” Levant immediately replied.

  “Thank you for that, Admiral. That means a lot to me.” Hawkins gave him a smile. The conversation moved on to other topics. The time passed quickly and soon the visit was concluded. The two commanders returned to the shuttle bay. At the shuttle, Rafe reached through the opened passenger hatch and took out a package from under the passenger seat just inside the hatch. He took out two bottles of Adler whiskey and passed them to Admiral Levant. “One is for you and the other I promised to Captain Wilson. I won’t see him so I would be grateful if you would pass it along.”

  The Admiral smiled as he looked down at the gifts. “I’ll do that. I’m not a big fan of the Goths but they do have a great alcohol industry there. I’m sure Jack will be very appreciative.”

  “One final question. Captain Wilson mentioned his XO liked gin. Did his XO make it?”

  Levant shook his head. “He died aboard Brodie.”

  Rafe nodded sympathetically. Farewells and handshakes were exchanged and Rafe departed.

  As he flew back to Predator, he reflected on the past. Raferty Hawkins had not lost a battle in years. He had won the great majority of them while fighting a few to a draw but, despite his record of success, it had been a long time since he had felt good after a fight. The victories were becoming mighty costly and progress was becoming harder to see. He took a deep breath and pushed the brief black mood from his being as he set up for his approach to Predator’s shuttle bay.

  Chapter 46

  Twenty minutes after landing Raferty was in his desk chair in his day cabin. He looked at the image of Ringo on his floating computer screen. Despite the distance, she could feel the intensity of his gaze on her. Hawkins spoke in an even tone. “You seemed to have been on your own agenda during this fight.”

  Ringo immediately went defensive. “I was trying to do more damage to the enemy. There was an opportunity there so I took it. It was the right thing to do.”

  Hawkins nodded. “I understand the impulse, but it wasn’t the right thing to do. That was obvious, and you risked your ship and the rest of the flotilla by your actions.”

  “We could have killed more of them! We owed Dan that! He was our squadron mate.” Ringo was adamant.

  Raferty was calm in the face of her anger. “Yes, we could have killed more, but the risk was unacceptable at that time. No matter how many we killed, Rebel would still be gone. Dan made a suicide run in an attempt to help us. You must have noticed him telling us what he was going to do, and then his ship taking aim on the light cruiser.”

  “He was too far away for a suicide run so it was worthless.”

  Hawkins was in debrief mode so replied with an instructive tone. “He was too far away for a successful run, but it was not worthless. His move toward the cruiser drew all the enemy fire and we got that light cruiser because we could go all offensive on her. Rebel gets credit for that kill and helping spring us from the escort ring. Dan Sorensen and his ship did their job. That’s more than I can say about you. In fact, you seem to be pushing the envelope in a lot of ways. Ringo, you’re a good captain with an excellent ship but I don’t like the trajectory I’m seeing.”

  The woman shook her head. “I’m a good captain with a great ship, and we have a fantastic record.”

  Rafe nodded. “I agree with all that. You have been very successful. The difference between success and failure is teflon thin. You will be very successful right up to the point a Goth or OrCon attack overwhelms your defenses, and missiles start banging against your hull. Then you will be unsuccessful but you won’t spend much time in the unsuccessful category, as in a few short minutes, you will move to the dead column.

  Ringo continued to shake her head. “You seem to be the only one complaining about me.”

  Hawkins leaned toward her image and calmly replied. “I am the commander of Pirate Flotilla One. I don’t complain. I point out shortcomings. I hold people to high standards and point out where members of this unit are falling short of those standards. Failure of that sort risks ships and crews. Our job is dangerous enough without us adding to that danger. Right now you are in that area. You usually operate alone but now you have to be part of the team. You need to remember that.”

  Ringo did not back off. “You going to try to take my ship from me?”

  Hawkins knew the word “try” was a challenge, but he ignored it. “Not at all. Let me point out something. Your crew is seeing all this too. If you think it is not a topic of conversation on the mess decks or in the berthing compartments, you’re not paying attention. I suspect right now your crew is giving you the benefit of the doubt because of your success. But they can see the trajectory too. They have a close up and personal view because they are on it. They see you taking more and more risks. The problem is, they are taking the same risks with you. You’re getting away with it now. I suspect one or two more close calls will make members of your crew antsy, and then those conversations will be out in the open. You’re going to have a problem then. A big one.”

  Ringo was quiet now. She loved her ship and her crew, and Hawkins knew she couldn’t bear it if something changed the status quo on Renegade. He also knew she probably thought his prediction might very well come true. If there was muttering in the background aboard her ship, Ringo was astute enough to pick up on it. Rafe suspected there was muttering, and she did know about it.

  The two captains stared at each other. Raferty spoke quietly. “Ringo, any satisfaction you’re getting from your one-person assault on the Goth Empire is only temporary. It is only temporary because you cannot change reality. You can’t bring back the past and you can’t resurrect the dead. I don’t know what relationship you had going on Desperado but-.”

  “My sister,” Ringo abruptly responded as she stared down at her hands.

  The unexpected remark was so sudden, Hawkins stopped and looked at her. He had not known that, and that lack of knowledge annoyed him. He quickly flicked the annoyance aside. Not the time for it. He knew she was making a giant concession in telling him, so he needed to tread carefully. He waited for a few seconds, but she didn’t expand on her comment.

  He spoke softly and slowly so as to continue the moment. “I didn’t know. Why didn’t she go with you to Renegade?”

  “Camille was the top log dog on Desperado. She was in a serious relationship with Harve Osteen. She wanted to stay with him. I think part of the reason he wanted me to take Renegade was so he could move up from XO and impress her as captain of Desperado.” Ringo continued to look down. “I should have stayed in Desperado or made her come with me. We were actually half-sisters. She was younger than me. I always looked after her. In the end, it meant nothing.” She looked up now at Hawkins. “I sometimes feel that way about our flotilla. In the end it will mean nothing.”

  “Only if we lose and nobody else picks up our banner,” Rafe replied quietly. He did not ask any follow-on questions. She would tell the details at her own pace and in her own time, or she wouldn’t. He paused as he considered his next statement and then went on. “I had family killed by the Goths. I did what you’re doing now. Killed a bunch of Goths and other people who helped them do those murders. I found out two things. First, I couldn’t kill all the Goths. There are too many. Second, it wouldn’t have matter if I could have because the people I cared about would still be dead. All the hate and killing didn’t bring anyone back. I had to learn the lesson that the past is the past and unalterable. Eve
n God cannot change it. You will have to learn the same lesson. Nobody can talk you off the path you are on right now. You have to burn out the hate and revenge on your own timetable.” He looked at her hard as he switched from kindly counselor to instructive commander. “Just remember. Everyone in your crew willingly takes the risks we all take in this flotilla, but damn few of them have a death wish. They want the maximum chance for survival, and they are counting on you to give them that. Part of a captain’s job is to accomplish the mission while maximizing the chances of staying alive.” He paused. “Ringo, you’re a damn fine captain. If you weren’t, I never would have offered you Renegade. Command has many advantages, but self-indulgence is not one of them. That is a luxury that does not exist for good captains. You have indulged your personal demons for a while now and have gotten away with it. It cannot last forever. You must realize that before you put your ship in a position where dozens of missiles are tapping on your hull trying to get in.”

  Ringo looked directly at him. The pain and fatigue were etched on her face. It had been a long and lonely fight for her, and it was one she knew she could not win. Maybe she didn’t want to win but just wanted it to be over. Problem was, for it to be over for her, it would also be over for her ship and her crew. She closed her eyes for several seconds while Hawkins quietly waited. She knew he was correct, but she needed to arrive at the same conclusion on her own. Her concerns for her ship and crew were now at war with her need for revenge and the increased risk that went with that quest. Rafe hoped she could sort that out before fate sorted it out for her. He knew they were done for now and he knew Ringo would be a team player for the immediate future. After that, it was anyone’s guess. Rafe suspected Ringo herself didn’t even know what she would do.

  She opened her eyes and he smiled at her as he spoke. “Thanks for all the hard work, Ringo. Renegade is a damn fine ship and I’m glad you’re with us on this one.”

  She half-smiled back. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the universe, Rafe.” She paused and then added with the same half-smile. “You know I always enjoy a good fight, and this was a great one.”

  Raferty nodded in response. “It was all that plus a ride on a unicorn.” He spoke softly now. “Ringo, we will go into the repair docks at Wanderlust. There will be time there to reflect on all of this but, in the meantime, get some rest.” She wearily nodded and they signed off. Hawkins reviewed the conversation for a moment. He was reminded of that old saying expressed in a variety of ways over the centuries. He preferred the short, simple version. Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Rafe thought there should be a proviso attached to that. Those who remember the past too well may become a prisoner to it.

  Rafe sighed and reached for the mike for the ship’s intercom. He requested Mason Reed, Tactical, and Baby Doll to join him in the day cabin. In a few minutes, the three had appeared and now occupied chairs in front of Rafe’s desk. As with most meetings in the day cabin, everyone quickly had a beer in hand.

  Hawkins looked down at his desk’s surface for a moment before looking up. “Just chatted with Ringo.”

  The three visitors were silent for a moment before Tactical said, “You tell her she is going to get her ship and crew blown out from under her if she keeps doing what she is doing?”

  Raferty smiled slightly. “I didn’t phrase it quite like that, but that was the general thrust of my comments.”

  Baby Doll shook her head. “Bet she loved that. Did she tell you to shove it and now you want to put out a blood contract on her?”

  Hawkins widened his smile. “Not quite. I did find out about her relationship on Desperado.” The three visitors leaned in as he continued. “She left a sister there. She was top log dog and was involved with Harve Osteen.”

  “Camille?” Mason Reed spoke up.

  The three others looked at him in surprise. He explained. “I remember Camille from my days on Bandit with all of you. Good worker. Low key and quiet, but knew her business. She ran a good logistics department on Desperado. Didn’t know she was Ringo’s sister and didn’t know she was involved with Osteen.”

  Rafe went on. “Half-sister, actually. Younger too. Ringo always looked after her their entire lives. Now she is dead and Ringo blames herself, and this is why we are where we are now. She thinks part of Osteen’s urging her to take Renegade was so he could be captain of Desperado and suitably impress Camille.”

  Silence overtook the quartet while everyone took a drink of beer as they mulled over the information. Tactical, as always, was the practical one. “History aside, is Ringo going to be a decent ship’s captain now, or is she still determined to get herself and her crew killed?”

  Raferty shrugged. “Not sure, but I do know she is going to give it some thought. I suggested there must be talk among the crew about their risk taking and, from her reaction, I think I guessed right, and she knows there has been talk. She is smart enough to realize that isolated, quiet conversations among a few crewmembers can grow into a mutiny if things get worse. I don’t think we are anywhere close to that, but Ringo can see the flickers of a fire there. She will get out ahead of it or she won’t. I think she will and things will settle down. We got a long lull coming up with ship repairs and resupply. There won’t be any opportunities for Ringo to go rogue on us. She will get time to reflect on the past and the future.” He paused now as everyone took another drink. He continued. “A related topic. Did any of you know about Camille being her half-sister?” He got a bunch of headshakes in response. “I thought not. I didn’t either. I was going over the timeline before you all arrived. Ringo has been captain of Renegade for more than two years, and before that she had Desperado. She brought Desperado into the Flotilla a year before she moved on to Renegade.” Heads nodded in agreement with the timeline. Rafe went on. “That means for over three years we have known Ringo and never knew about the half-sister.” He shook his head. “That’s bad. I want to know all the relationships going on in our happy little flotilla, especially among the command elements on all our ships. It’s hard to know about with all the romantic relationships. They change so much you probably couldn’t keep up with them even with a computer, but we need to know about the more stable relationships and, definitely, about any family ties.” Everyone nodded in response. Rafe looked the three over. “Any of you know about anything that is not common knowledge already?”

  “I’m involved with Tactical,” Reed immediately piped up.

  Tactical turned her head and stared at Reed as Rafe smiled at him. “I’m glad you admitted it because I’m sure she never would have.”

  Reed assumed a wounded expression. “Hey, that hurts.”

  “Just an observation,” Rafe responded with a hint of laughter. He nodded toward Tactical while still eyeing Reed. “You notice she is not denying my remark.”

  Everyone had a light laugh, and Rafe looked at Baby Doll. She responded to the look. “I don’t know of any relationship out there that you don’t already know about. As for me, I’m just a butterfly going from flower to flower.”

  Raferty nodded and smiled. “As long as none of them are Venus Flytraps, it’s all good.” He waited a heartbeat and moved on. “Yet another topic. I need a general battle assessment of Cottonmouth under the command of our dear friend, Llewellyn Terrant.”

  Tactical frowned. “Hate to admit it, but she did very well. On time, off target on the carrier attack, but subspace navigation is like that. She quickly corrected that and got good hits on her carrier. She followed orders. I suspect her assistance to Gunfighter was noticed throughout the Flotilla.”

  Rafe nodded. “I agree. She got herself some points there with the other captains. She knows she is playing for keeps here in Flot 1 and is trying to get into everyone’s good graces as quickly as possible. She will risk herself and her ship to do that. She is trying to build up a goodwill account with all the other captains so she will have something to cash in if she needs to. Most the captains are too jaded and too experienced not to
see that for what it is, but it is not a bad move on her part. I’m sure Ross Landry is thankful for the assist, but that is as far as it will get her.”

  Baby Doll remarked, “I agree that will not carry enough weight to get her to where she wants to go, but that goodwill, coupled with additional Marbellan ships, may help her get her plan in motion.” She looked at Rafe hard. “Did you see the intel update I sent about an hour ago?”

  Rafe shook his head and Baby Doll went on. “It’s in your queue. Another Marbellan ship has been seen in the Perdition system. Another Mamba class destroyer. Named Krait. Beat up like the others, but bought some supplies and headed to points unknown.”

  “Who provided the info?”

  “Captain Maddox in Celestria. He seems to have taken well to the Perdition trade routes we got him.”

  Raferty agreed. “He has been a good addition to the network. I assume he has been paid for the information.”

  Baby Doll nodded in response. “Sent the bank draft out a few hours ago.”

  Reed took up the conversation. “If only beat-up destroyers come in, no big deal. If cruisers and either of those two rumored Marbellan battlecruisers show up for Terrant, could be a problem for us.”

  Tactical joined in. “Should have killed her at the meeting like I told you to do.”

  Rafe looked at her. She was not kidding in the slightest. Tactical believed in eliminating potential problems before they grew into actual problems. Not a bad SOP to have, all things considered. Hawkins stared at the overhead. He spoke in a soft voice. “I suspect Terrant will keep those ships out of contact until we get in a fight back home, and they can ride in and save the day. Be hard to turn them out after they have killed a bunch of Goths on our behalf. Be even better for them if they take some damage and deaths in the process. Then we would owe them a blood obligation. We got time before any of those ships will have an opportunity to fight for us because we won’t be facing a Goth squadron any time soon.” He looked at Baby Doll. “We know there are two Snakes in the Badlands now and, probably, other ships we don’t know about. Make sure all our assets back home are looking for these ships. They have to be rallying somewhere off the beaten path to stay out of sight.” He frowned now. “And there is a lot of space off any of the beaten paths in the Badlands.”