Sky took the lead. “Captain Colfax first.”
Flint Colfax of Corsair stood up and passed through the hatch. Outside the shuttle, the Marines presented arms and a ship’s bell sounded with a ding, ding. A voice over a ship-wide loudspeaker sounded. “Corsair, arriving.” Colfax moved forward through the two rows of Marines and arrived at the main hatch to the quarterdeck to receive a handshake from Admiral Barrett. Mallory spoke again. “Captain Terrant.” Terrant rose and departed out the shuttle hatch. Ding, Ding. The announcer spoke again over the loudspeaker. “Cottonmouth, arriving.” Terrant was used to this treatment and she walked slowly down the aisle between the Marines; she seemed to stretch it out as long as possible. She finally got to the end and received her handshake and welcome from the Admiral.
And so it went. Ding, Ding. “Marauder arriving.” Ding, Ding. “Vampire, arriving.” All the captains received a welcome and the Royal Marines presented arms in each case. Finally, there were only the three squadron commanders on the shuttle. Sky nodded at Shane Delacruz. He stood and stepped out. Ding, Ding. “Charlie Squadron, arriving.” He walked down the aisle and went out the hatch after a handshake and welcome. Killian O’Hare was next. Ding, Ding. “Wolfpack, arriving.” She exited the shuttle. As she descended the hatch step for the walk between the Royal Marines of the honor guard, Rafe stood up and moved next to Sky. “No ship name for Shane or O’Hare?”
“The presentation is for the highest billet you hold. You will be Pirate Flotilla One. Not Predator or Alpha Squadron.”
Rafe nodded and asked. “Whose idea was this?”
Sky shrugged nonchalantly, but Rafe grabbed on to that gesture. “So it was you.”
Sky shrugged again and smiled. “I did suggest it, and the Admiral jumped on it. He was all for it. He realizes what you have done for us, and believes a little respect and recognition is in order.”
Hawkins smiled. “Been a long time since that happened for us.” He rubbed his chin with his left hand as he faked thinking back to it. “Let’s see. The last time was… never.” He nodded. “Yep, I think I will have to go with ‘never’ on that.”
Sky smiled at his attitude. “Well, now you got one time. First time is the hardest. Now everyone will want to do it for you all the time.”
“I look forward to the Goth version of this,” Rafe almost laughed.
Sky smiled and then said, “I noticed when I got this list that Blondie wasn’t coming. As liaison officer, she would be welcomed.”
Raferty made a clearly fake sad face. “She wanted to come, but as my new chief engineer and the engine specialist for the entire flotilla, she has serious challenges on the engine upgrade project, so I couldn’t spare her for this. I did inform the Admiral’s aide yesterday when I sent him a list of our attendees, so the seating chart could be completed.”
Sky smiled and shook her head at the obvious lie. “I’m sure Blondie was crying all night over missing this social gala.” Hawkins smiled and nodded. “She was heartbroken but, despite what our recruiting brochures say, being a pirate is not fun and games all the time.”
Sky kept her smile as she returned the nod. She glanced out and saw O’Hare was now at the entry hatch and lingering there while engaging in a discussion with Admiral Barrett. Finally, O’Hare moved on and Sky turned back to Rafe. “Your turn.”
Raferty smiled at her and moved out the shuttle hatch. Ding, Ding. “Pirate Flotilla One, arriving.”
Hawkins wanted to thank each Marine in the two lines for the honor but he knew that wasn’t part of the ritual, so he walked quickly toward the Admiral to limit the time spent at present-arms for these men and women.
The Admiral shook his hand and gripped his elbow with his free hand. He leaned close. “You have helped us a great deal yet one more time. I wish I could give you more than this.”
Rafe nodded at the compliment. “You have done more than enough, Admiral. Far more than anyone else has ever done for us. You are a true friend, and I thank you for that.” He now smiled “Besides, the last time we passed through these parts, you saved us from Admiral Hargrove and the Defense Minister, so we owe you.”
Barrett shook his head. “Not at all, my boy. That was an absolute pleasure, I assure you.”
The two men moved onto the quarterdeck as the crowd of curious crewmembers dissolved now that the show was concluded. The audience members could now say they had seen pirates “close up and personal,” and lived to tell the tale.
The Admiral led the party to the senior officer’s mess where a splendid dining arrangement had been set up. High-ranking Home Fleet officers from both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines were already there. Everyone took their seats at the place indicated by a seating chart, and the first dish was served. Several courses composed the grandest meal any of the pirates had ever had. Raferty watched his people closely, and all were on their best behavior. He had already issued orders to Tactical and Baby Doll to be alert to anything not appropriate to the occasion. Nothing of the sort happened. Everyone on both sides enjoyed the meal. After dessert was served, Admiral Barrett made a toast. As is the custom, the first toast was to the Queen and Empire. Everyone stood and joined in the ceremony. The second toast also followed custom in being a salute to absent friends and comrades. Everyone in the compartment joined in as each could identify with that sentiment.
The third toast was also for the host, but the subject was at his or her discretion. Admiral Barrett rose again and held up his glass. “Please join me in a toast to our guests.” Everyone rose and the Admiral looked at Hawkins briefly before scanning the compartment so as to include all the Flot 1 captains in his gaze. “Not only did you see the threat coming before we did, but you had the courage to step in front of the rolling storm knowing what would happen when it hit you. People believe many things, until it becomes time to meet the oncoming whirlwind. Then the potential sacrifice is too much and a great many of these people simply step out of the way. You did not. You raced to meet it. Thank you for that.”
Admiral Barrett raised his glass as many of the Zeke guests said loudly. “Hear, hear.” The assembly drank to complete the toast.
Captain Hawkins now turned to his host. “I would like to make a toast.” He addressed the Admiral directly. “We have always been short of true friends, but Admiral Barrett makes up for all of that. Courage is not only found on the battlefield, but also in supporting unpopular causes and people, regardless of the consequences to oneself. You have done more for us than we can possible repay. Thank you for having the courage to do it.” Hawkins raised his glass to the sounds of “Hear, hear.” The pirates all stood and drank.
As the meal finished, all participants rose and thanked each other for a fine evening. Admiral Barrett and Captain Mallory escorted the pirate contingent back to the quarterdeck entrance to the shuttle bay. At the hatch, Mallory and Rafe quietly talked as Barrett again shook hands with each captain as they loaded back onto Predator’s shuttle. O’Hare lingered at the end of the line until only she and Hawkins were left with Admiral Barrett and Captain Mallory. Admiral Barrett extended his hand to Killian. “It has been a great pleasure, Captain O’Hare.”
O’Hare shook his hand but, as he tried to release hers, she kept a tight grip. “When are you going to have me back?”
Barrett was a bit taken back, but recovered quickly. “We can certainly get together after the completion of the repairs and the engine-.”
O’Hare cut in. “Not everyone else. Me.”
Barrett smiled at her. “You are welcomed back anytime, Captain.”
O’Hare continued to look at him while maintaining the grip on his hand. “Tomorrow night then. What time is convenient for you?”
Barrett smiled, as he seemed more than happy in keeping the handclasp going. “Tomorrow at six, Captain?”
“I will be here then. I look forward to it and, please, call me Killian.”
Barrett maintained his smile. “I look forward to it also, Killian. I will see you then.”
>
They finally broke hands and O’Hare moved away toward the shuttle.
Hawkins moved to the Admiral. They gripped hands. Hawkins spoke apologetically. “I didn’t see her inviting herself back over here. I’ll talk to her and break the date.”
Barrett looked at him intensely and then gave a small smile. “Not on your life, Flag Captain. I am looking forward to it.”
Hawkins smiled. “Good luck then. You’ll need it.” The two men nodded to each other. Hawkins and Mallory exchanged smiles and he followed a few paces behind O’Hare to the shuttle. He was the last to enter the shuttle and sat across from O’Hare near the rear by the entry hatch. She gave him an innocent smile as the shuttle departed Sirocco and dropped off the many captains. Finally, the three people left in the back were O’Hare, Hawkins, and Baby Doll. The shuttle arrived at Nemesis. O’Hare rose from her seat to depart the shuttle. She nodded at Rafe and Baby Doll as she reached for the handle to the hatch.
Rafe spoke. “Killian, I’ll give you a call when I get home. Please be in your day cabin.”
She continued to depart without looking back. “Maybe.” She left the shuttle.
Baby Doll looked across the aisle at Raferty. “Sometimes you just want to slap the hell out of her.”
Hawkins gave a resigned smile. “That’s starting to become a continuous urge.”
Baby Doll looked at him with sympathy, and then nodded knowingly. Both of them had known Killian O’Hare for a long time.
Upon return to Predator, Rafe went straight to his day cabin. Baby Doll and Tactical followed him. As he sat at his desk and brought up his computer, the two women sat in front of his desk on the other side of the floating screen so O’Hare wouldn’t be able to see them. Hawkins called up O’Hare. She was in her day cabin and answered immediately. Hawkins stared at her. She maintained a half smile as she returned his gaze evenly.
“What cha doin’?” As Rafe asked the question, he reflected on how many times he had said that to Killian O’Hare over the years. It felt like it was somewhere around two million now.
Her smile widened. “What are you talking about?”
Rafe took a deep breath. He shook his head. “I’m not in the mood, Killian.”
She nodded. “I get what you’re asking, but I’m not sure your command authority extends to my social life.”
“It does in this case. We need Admiral Barrett. Also, he is a good guy who has done very well for us. I can’t think of another person in the Royal Navy or Government who has done more. Hell, he saved all our lives once. We need him. What we don’t need is you screwing around with that.” Hawkins now stared directly at O’Hare. “So we’re back to the original question. What cha doin’?” Two million and one times.
Killian looked at him and then looked off in the middle distance as she considered her answer. She came back to him with an even gaze. “I like him. I think I could like him a lot. He is different, even from the other admirals and the other Zekes. He is…,” she trailed off and then refocused on Hawkins. “He does the right thing even if it’s not good for his career. He is a good man. He treats us with respect. He has taken chances for us. He is doing that now with the repairs, and making us look good in the media. I know that, and I will treat him well.”
“Is this a passing fancy?”
“I’m not sure. I hope not.”
Hawkins nodded. “I hope not too. Crazy doesn’t get it done here.”
She gave him a wide smile. “I am not crazy. Just contrary.”
“Yeah, that’s what everyone says about you. She’s just being contrary.”
O’Hare took a deep theatrical breath. “I am leaving now.”
“Bye,” Rafe replied as Killian vanished.
He leaned back in his chair. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Complications seemed to number to infinity when you’re a pirate commander. And infinity may not have a definitive value, but it is a damn big number.
“I need a beer,” he remarked to his guests as he reached into his cold unit for three bottles.
Chapter 54
Reginald Moore, Viscount of Alandia, agreed with the Queen’s assessment regarding the timing of Measure 200. Just like her, he also felt this was the best year to get it passed in the Upper House. That would be the only thing he would agree with the Queen on, in regards to Measure 200. He wanted to defeat the bill and maintain the current situation. Not that he took any pride in associating with slavery. His view was that the Aurora Empire had no business dictating their own moral or legal ethics to people outside of the Empire. If people “out there” wanted to do business a certain way, so be it. If any Empire corporations or citizens were that offended by the practices of these outsiders, then they were free to take their business and sensibilities elsewhere. No reason for the Government to get involved, especially in these trying times when Government attention and resources were desperately needed for other situations.
Moore now sat in his office with his chief of staff tallying votes for the upcoming debate. His chief of staff, Herbert Latimore, had been twisting arms and making all sorts of promises to ensure the bill’s defeat. He looked at his boss as the man sat behind his desk scanning memos from other peers of the Upper House. Latimore spoke with a hint of worry in his voice. “Going to be close this year. Several people are wavering.”
Moore looked up from his reading and nodded. “A few are truly undecided but, most just want to hold out for the best offer for their vote. We just have to remind them that sometimes the best offer is to keep the status quo. If they vote for 200, they may find out the added cost to their businesses is not worth whatever they were promised for their vote, or for their own peace of mind. They need to understand being noble is fine in theory, but there is a real cost to it in the actual universe.” He paused as he glanced back at his screen. “I don’t see anything from Sam Mallory. You heard from him yet?”
Latimore shook his head slightly. but it was not an answer to the question, it was an expression of disgust. “He called me a few hours ago. He is not coming to the session. His sister is definitely going to attend, and she is a yes vote for sure.”
Moore nodded. “No way we can buy her off. Sam Mallory would have been with us. He needs the money. Too bad. I thought the kid said he would be here in her place.”
“He’s always running his mouth about what he is going to do. I thought he would be here. His sister should be out fighting the war, but Home Fleet is just drifting around their bases along the border so she has time to come to the session.”
Moore nodded in agreement and turned back to his screen. “Let’s get a tally done now and see where we are. I will strong arm the votes we need to beat this if it comes to it.”
Chapter 55
Flicker lay outside sensor range from the planet Absolution. They had been there for four days. One of the shady Last Chance supply dealers that Flot 1 used had provided information that another warship of unknown origins was due sometime during the next week. Flicker had moved quickly to Absolution and quietly set up in a high guard overwatch position. They were content to float at minimum power in normal space. They did not use active sensors or white phones to give warning of approaching ships, trusting in their small size, odd configuration, and black paint scheme to hide them in plain sight while in dark space. They had had to go subspace three times to avoid passing traffic. The crew was patient. Waiting comprised the majority of their missions and they were good at it. They had proven they could wait for days if required by the mission. This little venture was an evening stroll for them. Patience paid off as Flicker’s wait came to an end.
“Got a message,” reported Jasmine. She was stretched out in her reclining chair behind the copilot’s seat. While still maintaining her laid-back posture, she reached forward and her fingers stabbed air in her floating screen. The crew eyed her nonchalantly as she decoded the burst transmission. She turned to her audience. “Sent almost two hours ago by Bright Star. It bounced through a couple of comm sta
tions before getting here.” Everyone nodded. The spy ship never received direct messages except from Flot 1 squadron leaders. This sender would have no idea who would receive the message and Flicker could never be tracked through her message traffic. Jasmine read from the text. “Addressed to Cambridge Ship Supply Corporation.” Everyone smiled. That was one of their many comm identities regularly renewed and certified by Baby Doll with various planetary governments. “Light cruiser just dropped into orbit. Bad shape. No markings except the name of Phoenix stenciled on the hull. Name looks newly added given the condition of the ship. Reviewed our identity files but can’t match it to any Navy. Will advise on its departure if possible. We sail in eight hours.” Jazz flipped through a couple of files. “There are four images attached.” She concluded her recital and glanced at her comrades. Scarecrow spoke up. “Who is Bright Star?”
Dylan replied as he considered the information provided by Jasmine. “Bright Star is a small freighter that Bandit rescued a while back. She is part of the information circle now.” He turned to Gabrielle. “Ensure Bright Star gets the standard payment for information.” She nodded and he looked at his three companions. “Let’s see the images.”
Jazz put them on her floating screen and turned the screen. She enlarged the screen to five times its working size to show all details. The images were of a ship that had been through various sections of hell with little repair time in between. The four crewmembers had seen freighters and other commercial ships in such shape as their owners didn’t have the money or the interest to keep them in decent condition, but nobody could recall seeing a warship this bad off. There were ad hoc repairs visible at several locations along the hull. Mismatched paint and, sometimes, no paint at all starkly identified these spots. Two holes in the hull were visible. The small penetrations didn’t look recent but no attempts at repairs had been made. The close up view of the damage in these two locations revealed the inside of a compartment visible through the hull. At least three communications arrays were missing various antennas and one twin gun turret had only one gun barrel rather than the expected two. There were no identifying hull numbers and the painted name of Phoenix did look crisp and new on a battered background.
Echoes from Yesterday: Pirates of the Badlands Series Book 4 Page 31