Mace frowned. “Didn’t know you to be so willing to be underhanded, Mr. Knuttin. This conversation would be considered fraud.”
Frado scoffed: “Fraud is what those beasts have forced upon me. If things go forward as they are, they will own the new facilities, as well as 75 percent of this one. I’ll be all but squeezed out of the shipbuilding business and they will have the rights to my designs. I’d like to remind you that you own 24 percent of this financial mess.”
The Kohamian typed away on his arm pad. “I’m transferring the structural diagrams to you now. One moment… there… I’ve highlighted the five points where an explosive will do the most damage. I am talking about something substantial by the way, not something that would be considered little more than fireworks.”
Mace said, “We plan on taking a mini-reactor critical.”
Frado nodded in thought. “Excellent. Should be more than sufficient.”
Mace asked, “How long is your shuttle gonna be in the bay?”
Frado frowned. “What? Why?”
Mace said, “We need access to our ship. You’re blocking it.”
Frado grinned. “A projector cloaking an entire ship? Excellent! You will have to forward the design to me. We could make a fortune from the military contracts alone.”
Mace slowly shook his head. “Not happening at the moment. Perhaps as future business. How long before you move your shuttle?”
“Let’s see… we had the reactor, the preassembly factories and the final assembly line. I would expect that to be another hour and a half.”
“You have twenty minutes,” Mace said. “We need to do this and be gone before it goes.”
Frado smiled. “I believe that to be doable. I’ll take them directly to the launch bay so they can see a new ship coming off the line. That’s all they are interested in anyway. From there I will invite them to a commissioning ceremony, which they will instead refuse and request we depart. I’m certain they are all ready to leave. They have other clients to fleece.”
“Make it happen. And I would suggest you move anyone else you care for off this structure. When it goes it won’t be pretty, and those who are left may have a tough time surviving the aftermath.”
Frado bowed and left the room.
Jenny said, “He just walked away. You think that’s wise?”
Mace nodded. “His head stays focused on business. This attack will get him out of a financial jam. For him it’s a no-brainer. Let’s head back to the bay and wait. We’ll want to move quickly once the shuttle comes in.”
Chapter 26
*
Frado Knuttin gave a hasty tour of the launching of the newest warship, and as he predicted, the investors declined a suggestion to spend time at an inaugural ceremony for the new vessel. Frado hurried them to the shuttle, which then departed for the Knuttin Corporation headquarters.
The Royal Fortune landed and the ramp door opened. The four mini-reactor bombs were carried out and placed in the designated locations. Seconds after the shuttle lifted from the bay, a signal was sent and the black void immediately surrounding the immense structure filled with a brilliant white light.
A general comm was opened to the surrounding ships and a message passed through from a Wrathian warlord: “You will all perish unless you accept our rule. The weakening of your empire has already begun. Prepare to be dominated.”
The comm was closed and the Royal Fortune slipped away unseen.
Back at the Alpha site, Mace gathered the senior staff into the conference room.
“Reports?” he asked.
“All targets destroyed,” said Jasper. “Including forty-eight new ships.”
Mace said, “Wait… you attacked ships?”
Jasper nodded. “While we were there. No sense in letting them go when we had them all parked in a row. You complete your mission?”
“We did. But there were some glitches. Jenny and I got caught in a reactor room. The EM fields of the newest reactor design interferes with our holo-projections. We were spotted and cornered by none other than Frado Knuttin. It seems he got the corporation into a financial straits while building that shipyard. Believe it or not, he provided us with the best locations to place our reactor bombs. His creditors had forced him to carry triple insurance, so he’s gonna come out smelling rosy. Destroying that shipyard probably saved the corporation from huge losses.”
Jasper scowled. “So he knows about the projectors?”
Mace sighed. “He does. Couldn’t be helped. We didn’t know of the vulnerability until we got in the room. Anyway, I think we’re safe. Although I’m certain he will have his people research how to make a projector for a battle suit. And he knows about the Royal Fortune having it as well.”
Jasper shook his head. “You should have offed him before he walked out of there. This is a disaster. We don’t know if we can trust our most precious technology anymore. I’m very disappointed in you.”
Mace held up a hand. “What’s done is done. I made what I thought was the best decision I could at that moment.”
Jasper stood.
Mace asked, “Where you going?”
“To see if I can find and silence this leak before it becomes our undoing.”
Jasper opened a comm. “Prepare all ships. We’re going into UF space to find and kill the head of the Knuttin Corporation.”
Mace stood. “Wait… let me do it. I caused this. Let me clean it up.”
Jasper returned a leery look. “You sure?”
Mace nodded. “I’m sure. Jenny, want to pilot for me?”
“Absolutely. I was there, too, and I didn’t stop you.”
Mace turned to Jasper. “You might do us best by going to Terrex. Evaluate the progress of the war there and help us to decide on our next best move.”
Jasper gave a single headshake. “Done.”
As they boarded the shuttle, Jenny said, “I’ve been thinking about Stark. He knows about our base here at Alpha. I’m thinking it’s foolish for us to stay here. We need to find ourselves a new home that he’s not familiar with, and it can’t be Hardy. He already suspects we have a base there.”
Mace sat in the copilot’s chair, strapping himself in. “You remember the planet where we encountered the Korvan?”
Jenny nodded. “Wasn’t that Gellos or something like that? We rescued Mr. Knuttin and the Korvan queen.”
“Yeah, that was it. They had an underground base there. I doubt the UF are making use of that planet since it’s on the edge of another empire’s space. Their marker is there, but they would leave it be until they established other nearby colonies. I wonder if that base is available for us to make use of.”
“I think we need to take care of this Knuttin problem first.”
“Absolutely,” replied Mace. “Once we get this done we go directly there to scout it out. We should make getting off Alpha our next priority.”
A jump was made near the destroyed shipyard. A short run in and a scan revealed that the Knuttin Corporation executive shuttle was not there. A second jump to the headquarters of the corporation found the ship they were searching for. Jenny piloted the Royal Fortune down through the atmosphere, being careful not give off a heat signature, and the shuttle settled on a landing pad beside its corporate mate.
Mace stood, flipping on his holo-projector. If anyone comes… move to a safe position. Try to come back every half hour on the hour until you have me. If you see Mr. Knuttin standing out here by himself, you’ll know I’m nearby.”
Jenny said, “Wait… you’re bringing him out?”
Mace nodded. “We have to. If he’s already told anyone, we have to know. If he doesn’t offer up that intel freely, I’ll have to bring him out.”
The ramp lowered and Mace hopped to the ground. As he glanced back, the open ramp closed into thin air. A quick walk had him to the door of the main building. The halls were buzzing with activity. News of the shipyard’s destruction was already impacting the workday. Following the norm for exec
utives, Mace made his way to the top floor. An expansive waiting room with two secretary stations fronted a pair of grand, steel-paneled doors. The room’s walls were covered with the same steel panels, which were outlined with a thin opalesque trim. Despite the cold appearance of the walls, the room was warm and inviting.
A door to the office opened. Frado Knuttin was barking commands to an aide. Mace moved quickly, almost brushing the aide aside as he entered.
Once the door had closed, Mace made himself known. “I’m afraid we have a problem.”
Frado replied, “Good, good, good. I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you about the projectors. I just sent my aide to gather a team. You being here will make this simple.”
Mace took a deep breath. “I need you to call the aide back and cancel that order.”
Frado looked up from rummaging around on his desk. “What?”
Mace said, “Call your aide back and belay that order.”
Frado offered a confused look. “But why? This could make us billions of credits!”
Mace shook his head. “I’m sorry, this technology is too important to us. I can’t let you develop it for the UF. If you were unaware, your people are now in control of my planet.”
Frado replied, “No, we have an agreement with your king. You provide the ground troops needed to eliminate the Karthian forces and you get your freedom. That is happening right now.”
Mace said, “So tell me you think your commanders will fully honor that agreement. Tell me about any other species they have allowed to be their equals.”
Frado stood in silence for several seconds. “I suppose I can’t. But how will this technology make a difference?”
Mace said, “Just as it did at the shipyards. With it we’re able to move about freely with a small force. Given enough time we could eliminate every warship the Karthians have��� and at the same time we could do that to your empire as well. You have this tech and it completely takes away our ability to do that.”
Frado sat at his desk. “I suppose I can see your point of view. What if I was able to negotiate complete freedom for your people? I have the connections. This tech would easily be a fair exchange.”
Mace frowned. “The problem is we’re not willing to entrust our fate to others. You and your leaders would be unwilling to do the same. So I need you to call your aide back and cancel that task and I need you to do it now. Otherwise I’ll have to take steps to see that she doesn’t complete that task.”
Frado raised a hand. “OK, I can see the reasoning behind this being important. I suppose I already have enough on my plate with the rebuilding of those shipyards.”
Frado pressed a button on his arm pad. “Mr. Heerte, please have Miz Xeakra stop what she’s doing and return to my office immediately.”
“Yes sir,” was the reply over the comm.
Mace looked around. “Nice office. Kind of sparse for a corporate bigwig.”
Frado nodded. “I like keeping things clean and simple, Mr. Hardy. It helps me focus on what���s important. There are already enough distractions in our lives.”
“For those of us who have lives. My hours are spent trying to earn the freedom of my planet.”
Frado slightly bowed. “I apologize for the comparison. Your situation is indeed quite different from mine. Can I offer you a beverage while we wait?”
Mace chuckled. “Thanks, but no. And I’m going to need for you to remove your arm pad and then step over here.”
Frado offered a confused look. “What? Why?”
Mace gestured with his hand. “Please. Just humor me for a few minutes.”
Frado stood, removing the device before walking to the designated location. Mace enabled his holo-projector as the aide came through the door.
“You wanted to see me sir?”
Mace reappeared. This time with his plasma rifle raised. “I’ll be needing you to please remove your arm pad.”
Frado nodded. “Do as he says.”
Mace glanced over at the door. “Here’s what’s gonna happen. I’ll be going back into stealth. The two of you are going to go through that door, down the stairs, and out onto the tarmac. You won’t talk to or acknowledge anyone on the way. Just down the stairs, out onto the tarmac, and to the other side of your shuttle.
“Now this is the part I am dead serious about. You make any attempt to run and I squeeze the trigger. You make any attempt to signal anyone and I squeeze the trigger. You do anything other than exactly what I just told you… and I squeeze the trigger. And if that happens, you are dooming not only yourselves but everyone in this building. I have a mini-reactor set up and waiting to go critical at either my or my associate’s command. If you care about yourselves or your coworkers you’ll do exactly as I tell you to do. Understand?”
Frado nodded. “I understand, Mr. Hardy. We will cooperate. Getting people killed does none of us any good. Miz Xeakra… I expect you to fully cooperate. Mr. Hardy is a major shareholder in the corporation. You work for him as well as me. Treat him with respect and he will do the same to you.”
The steel-paneled doors opened and the two Kohamians walked out. No word was given to the secretaries that manned either side of the doors. The stairs were taken down seven flights to the tarmac level.
An associate ran up to the corporate exec as he walked toward the door. “Mr. Knuttin, General Vokamin wishes to speak with you. Your secretary said you were coming down.”
Frado held up a hand as he continued to walk. “Not now, Mr. Tranke. Tell the general I will call him back when I can.”
Tranke stopped. “Mr. Knuttin? It’s the general. He doesn’t wait.”
Frado stopped, turning with an angry look. “He will have to wait this time, Mr. Tranke. Offer him my sincerest apology and tell him I will be in touch.”
Frado continued walking toward the door with his aide by his side. Calio Tranke winced as he turned back, thinking of the reaction he could expect from the High General of the United Front forces. A short walk had the two Kohamians standing by themselves on the tarmac. The corporate shuttle blocked the view from the building. A ramp lowered in front of them.
Mace said. “Go up. Hurry.”
As the ramp closed behind him, Mace disabled his projector.
Jenny said, “Two of them?”
“It was a package deal,” Mace replied. “Mr. Knuttin, I need you to tell me who exactly you told about the projector. Both of you can take a seat over there.”
Frado said, “No one. Besides Miz Xeakra. It was to be her task to put the team together to make this holo-projector a reality for our military. I’m eager to learn how you were able to wrap an object such as a battlesuit completely. The fact that you can move around unseen is an exciting development.”
Mace shook his head. “Miz Xeakra, who did you tell about this technology?”
Piula Xeakra replied, “My orders were to assemble every scientist or engineer who knew anything about holo-projectors. I had only asked one individual about who I might first contact. She wasn’t sure, but referred me to a second. I was on my way to see them when I was called back.”
Jenny said, “You going on their word?”
Mace nodded. “Have to. At the moment, neither has a reason to lie.”
Jenny asked, “Where to?”
Mace gestured toward the nav display. “To Gellos, and then back to Alpha. We’ll figure it out from there.”
Frado said, “Wait… you’re taking us with you? I have too much work to do here. There will be new contracts to sign… and lengthy negotiations.”
Mace asked, “Is Mr. Kontin capable of handling those?”
Frado sat silent for a second. “He would have to be. He’s my second in command.”
“Does he have authorization to do those things in your absence?”
Frado nodded. “Yes. But why?”
Jenny laughed. “If you haven’t figured it out yet… you’re absent. We can’t allow you to go back knowing what you know. This technolo
gy is too important to us.”
Frado frowned. “Had I known that I would not have pursued it.”
Mace shook his head. “Please. You���re a businessman and a patriot for the United Front. Am I to believe you value our friendship above your business and your own species?”
Frado looked away. “I’m a man of my word, Mr. Hardy. If I said I wouldn’t disclose it, then I wouldn’t. If circumstances were different and you were attacking our colonies, things might be different.”
Mace held up his hands. “We just destroyed all of the warship production your people had! How is that not attacking your colonies?”
Frado looked back at Mace. “Wait… you’re saying more than just my shipyard was hit?”
Jenny nodded. “All your shipyards. The United Front is currently out of the warship business. Next up will be the warships you are using to subjugate Earth. After that, I suppose we’ll have to work on eliminating all means for you to attack our people. We just want peace. If you’d left us alone, things would have been fine.”
Frado crossed his arms. “So we are prisoners?”
“Think of yourselves as restricted guests. If peace can be had between our peoples, then you stand a very good chance of going home. If we continue to struggle to win our freedom… well, your stay may be quite prolonged. I’m sorry, Mr. Knuttin, I respect you and like you as a person, but we are currently at war.”
A jump was made to the Gellos colony.
Frado watched on the display as the shuttle dropped down through the atmosphere. “This is Gellos. It’s where you saved my life.”
Mace nodded. “It’s also very likely to be our new home. You had no immediate plans for colonization, did you?”
“This planet is far down the list. With the wars going on there are few credits to dedicate toward colonization. The corporation is now sitting on claims for close to a hundred planets that we cannot even auction off. Only a year ago we would have been swimming in credits with such a portfolio. Now the government wants us to pay a special tax on our holdings.”
HADRON Havoc Page 25