Inadvertent Adventures

by Jones, Loren K.

  Sterling grinned back at her. “And so far everything they’ve tested is edible. Flavor is going to be a question of taste,” he said, grinning at his own word play, “especially considering some of the things chimps eat back on Earth.”

  Ann just chuckled and stood, leading the way back to Control. “Mister Roberts, Miss Carter, plot a course to Clementine. Secure the ship’s rotation. Engage main engines as soon as the course is laid in and down is aft again.”

  “Aye, Captain. Is everything all right, Ma’am?” Bart asked as his fingers flew over his panel.

  “No sign of any sentient creatures so far, but they haven’t done a thorough check of the sea creatures yet. They do confirm that the atmosphere is breathable and most of the plants are edible. The meat of one of those millipede-buffalos that Mandy and Sterling cataloged was eaten by the test primates without any ill effects.”

  “And we have to wait until we get an official go ahead from the CSS government before we land,” Sterling added. “Eight months minimum turnaround time.”

  “So, about the time word can get back to us, we’ll have to leave?” Denise asked.

  “I think we can stretch our supplies a bit,” Sterling said as he looked at Ann for confirmation. “Besides, a full loadout on this class ship is supposed to feed a crew of over a hundred and fifty for six months. We should have enough to last two years if we have to.”

  Chapter 29

  THE CSS DUYFKEN EMERGED INTO NORMAL space near the Beloofte System and began decelerating immediately. Captain Janszoon breathed a huge sigh of relief as the ship oriented its main engines toward the planet and began their braking burn.

  “I’ve never been so glad to be home, Admiral,” she said as she turned toward her guest and smiled.

  Admiral Carter smiled back as she replied, “You can say that again, Captain. I forgot what nine and a half months isolated in a small ship can be like. First thing I’m going to do is get some non-nutritious, non-Navy chow.” She grinned as her hostess chuckled. “I’m afraid being in the Georgia System for so long spoiled me.”

  The captain chuckled before she answered. “You’ll have plenty of company. This was the longest deployment this crew has ever made, and not having a port along the way made it harder. But, all the bitching aside, I’m proud of the way they handled themselves.”

  The admiral nodded her agreement. It was unusual for a ship to be so isolated in these times. The four month hyperspace journey to the Farflung System was an anomaly when the entire Confederacy was only thirty-four ship-days in hyper across. Given their findings concerning the habitability of Frisland, that was something that was likely to change.

  “I’m radioing in a request for special rations for you and your crew, Captain. I’m sure even your cooks are going to enjoy eating something they didn’t fix.” Admiral Carter smiled at the sudden alertness of the closest watch-standers.

  “On behalf of my crew, I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Captain Janszoon replied with a broad smile.

  The Duyfken remained in Beloofte orbit for two days while her crew relaxed and the Navy depot replenished her stores. The crew of the Duyfken hadn’t quite had to break into the emergency rations, but they didn’t miss by much. Fortunately, the Beloofte depot had a plentiful supply of fresh stores from the planet, and if anyone thought the Titano-Rhino meat tasted odd, they kept their opinion strictly to themselves.

  It took fourteen days to reach the Georgia System, acceleration and deceleration included, and Admiral Carter was on the radio as soon as they were in range. “I would like to set up a conference with Admiral Takamura and Admiral Teach as soon as possible,” she told the Navy Communications Center Officer-Of-the-Day, and saw a look of puzzlement cross his face.

  “Admiral Takamura?” he asked as he stared at her. “Ma’am, where have you been? Admiral Takamura died five months ago.”

  Admiral Carter closed her eyes briefly. She hadn’t known Hiroshi Takamura well, but she had respected him immensely. “Who has taken over as Gamma Quadrant CINC?”

  “Fleet Admiral Alexander Gagarin is now Commander in Chief of the Gamma Quadrant,” he replied and saw her startled expression. “Ma’am?”

  “It’s nothing. I just didn’t know he was up for promotion. Please get me a secure link to Admiral Gagarin’s office.” The young officer did as he was asked and the picture changed to that of a handsome young man with brilliant blue eyes.

  “Admiral Gagarin’s office, Yeoman Coffee speaking. You are on a secure line. How may I help you?” the young man asked.

  “Yeoman Coffee, this is Admiral Carter. I need to speak to Admiral Gagarin. Is he available?”

  “Just a moment, Admiral, and I’ll check.” The screen went blank and when it came back up she was facing the admiral.

  “Elain! Welcome home. How was the excursion?” he asked with a broad smile.

  “Hi, Alex. The ‘excursion,’ as you call it, was long, but fruitful. I thought I’d pass on a warning to you before the Planetary Claims Commission publishes our report. The planet Frisland is habitable, and showed no sign of sentient life.” She paused as Admiral Gagarin whistled. “Yeah. When this news hits the fan, it’s likely to splatter rather spectacularly.”

  Admiral Gagarin nodded sagely. “We don’t want another conflict like the one over Trondheim. I think Admiral Meerhof and her task force are due for an extended deployment. Did Ann Stevenson designate anyone to act on her behalf?”

  Admiral Carter smiled. “Johan Von Rubenstein, of Dresden Agro-Commerce Collective. Apparently there is already an agreement concerning mining and colonization rights in Farflung.”

  Admiral Gagarin chuckled and shook his head. “Where in the hell did she come up with that name?”

  “I asked the same question,” she relied with a laugh. “Her crew came up with it. She said she’s worried about their sanity, but she was laughing when she said it.”

  “Having commanded her, I think her sanity might be in question as well. Very well, Elain. Thank you for the warning. I’ll send Cynthia her orders and get her on the way out there.”

  Admiral Carter snapped to attention. “Thank you, sir. Any chance of dinner?”

  “My place, seven sharp. Delinda and the kids will be delighted to see you again.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  *

  The Planetary Claims Commission took just three days to reach their conclusion concerning Frisland and the Admiral Ann’s Revenge’s claim. Johan Von Rubenstein was summoned to receive the news.

  “Mister Von Rubenstein,” Commissioner Kottan began, “you were designated by Captain Stevenson and her crew as the person to contact concerning the Farflung System and the Planet Frisland. It is the conclusion of the PCC Board that the planet Frisland is habitable and has no native sentient species to prevent colonization. All tests indicate that the native animals and microbes pose no immediate threat to humans. The crew of the Admiral Ann’s Revenge is granted full rights to Frisland in addition to the non-habitable worlds of the Farflung System.”

  Johan clicked his heels and bowed slightly as he fought to contain his excitement. “I will send the appropriate messages to New Frankfurt immediately. Our current agreement with Captain Stevenson and her crew does not extend to the planet Frisland, but we have already opened negotiations concerning it. I’m sure the Board of Directors will be very pleased with this news.”

  Commissioner Terras almost laughed as he replied, “I’m sure the entire Confederacy is going to be pleased by this news. If you would, please include a request that Captain Stevenson or someone else with the authority to make decisions for the Farflung System return to the Confederacy to begin annexation negotiations.”

  Johan bowed his head and clicked his heels once again. “I shall be pleased to, Commissioner Terras.”

  The news spread like wildfire. Every planetary and interplanetary news agency clamored for quotes and sound bites concerning the newly discovered planet, even though the news of the actual disc
overy was nearly a year old.

  Not everyone was happy about the news, especially the big conglomerates. DA-CC was called everything from poachers to pirates when Johan announced that there was already an agreement in principal between DA-CC and the crew of the Admiral Ann’s Revenge. Negotiations immediately began between DA-CC and other conglomerates for subsidiary rights to mine Clementine, but no one could negotiate contracts concerning Frisland because the Admiral Ann’s Revenge and her crew were still out there.

  *

  “Captain?” Carrie-Marie said as she peeked into Ann’s day cabin, “You asked me to let you know when we were down to six months of provisions. I think we’re there.”

  “Very well, CM. I guess it’s time to head back to the Confederacy. I’ll give the orders at dinner tonight.” Ann turned back to her computer and Carrie-Marie left without another word. Ann was compiling a database about the planet Leander based on the surveys they had been making. The Mintze had finished with Clementine and headed home three months earlier. The planet had shown high percentages of aluminum, titanium, and iron, as well as a much higher than normal concentration of silver. The titanium and aluminum were the best news. Starships were usually built with titanium-aluminum alloy hulls, and silver was invaluable for the electronics that made space travel possible. The mining robots that had been used to make the detailed survey were still working, building up a stockpile for when the DA-CC bulk carriers arrived to begin shipping.

  Captain Banner of the Mintze had reluctantly left his more sensitive remote scanners with the Revenge. It had taken some fast talking, and more than a little playing on her family name on the part of Katrina Von Rubinstein, but the captain had finally agreed.

  Now, after three months of low, medium, and high orbital scans, Leander was as thoroughly mapped as it could be from space. The data was encouraging.

  Leander was showing all indications of being a heavy-metal paradise. The planetary scan sensors had picked up rich deposits of lead, gold, and platinum. They had also registered dangerous concentrations of fissionable elements such as uranium and plutonium, as well as a number of other transuranic elements. The expected fission daughter products were also present in abundance. Any mining was going to have to be done robotically, but that was all in a day’s work for many of the mining operations in the Confederacy.

  Ann waited until everyone was eating before addressing her crew. “We’ve been here for nearly a year now, and CM has informed me that we’re down to six months of provisions. Navigator, plot a course to Nuwe Vaderland. Bart and Mandy, I want you two to make separate plots as a navigational exercise. Denise can check them against hers. Engineering, run a complete systems check. I want to depart no later than zero seven hundred tomorrow unless there is a problem.” Ann smiled as her crew immediately began discussing her orders. “There is one additional item,” she said, drawing their attention back to her. “Kat, come up here, please.”

  Katrina was smiling like a Cheshire cat when she came to a stop facing Ann. “Yes, Captain?”

  “Katrina Von Rubenstein, I checked your coursework and confirmed the computer assessment. You have completed the full course of study for Spacer First Class, and it is my pleasure to award you your certificate stating that fact.” She displayed the framed certificate that proclaimed Katrina Von Rubenstein’s qualification. “It is also my pleasure to tell you that the second half of your pay that has been held back until this moment is yours as well.” She paused as Katrina’s eyes widened. “You were pulling your weight, so we banked it on your behalf. The transfer will be made as soon as we return to the Confederacy.”

  Katrina was moving her lips, but she couldn’t manage to say anything for a moment. Then she wiped her eyes and said, “Thank you, Captain.” She turned to the rest of the crew and said, “Thank you all so very much.”

  Everyone came forward then to congratulate her, and she basked in the feeling of belonging.

  Ann recorded a message to Captain Kempler of the Tivor Carva as soon as dinner was finished.

  “Captain Kempler, we are returning to Beloofte for provisions and news. We will be leaving in eleven standard hours, minus the communications lag between Leander and Jarnsaxa. Probably about ten hours after you receive this message. We will be happy to take on any mail or other communications for delivery to DA-CC. Captain Stevenson, out.” She closed the recording and had Sterling send it off.

  “The external tanks are dry. Do you want to drop them, or take them back with us?” Sterling asked as he turned toward Ann.

  “Take them back. It’s extra mass to move, but they are too expensive to just drop in orbit. With the Tivor Carva manufacturing fuel now, they aren’t going to be needed, so we’ll sell them back to the shipyard in Beloofte.”

  “We’ll only get about half what we paid for them,” he pointed out.

  She shrugged. “I know, but that’ll re-provision us for a year.”

  The Admiral Ann’s Revenge left Leander orbit on schedule and set course for Beloofte. The Tivor Carva had sent a massive message for DA-CC. Captain Kempler’s attached message was addressed to Ann.

  “Captain Stevenson, thank you very much for your kind offer. The attached data is mostly personal mail and unofficial correspondence. The DA-CC supply ship wasn’t able to take it with her when they were here two months ago. We will keep an eye out for ships entering the system while you are gone. Kempler, out.”

  Ann smiled as she sat back. Hopefully there would be good news waiting for them in Beloofte.

  Chapter 30

  TASK FORCE 305, UNDER ADMIRAL Cynthia Meerhof, emerged into normal space on the outskirts of the Farflung System and immediately broadcast a message in-system.

  “Admiral Ann’s Revenge, Captain Stevenson, this is Admiral Meerhof on board the CSS Amsterdam. We are in-system bound and I would like to set up a conference as soon as we are in reasonable communications distance.”

  The reply came eleven hours later. “Admiral Meerhof, this is Captain Manfred Kempler of the DA-CC refinery ship Tivor Carva. The Admiral Ann’s Revenge returned to the Confederacy thirteen days ago for provisions. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

  Admiral Meerhof considered her answer for more than an hour before she sent it. “Captain Kempler, I hope your ship is running at full capacity. The Navy sent us out here to secure the system. Frisland is habitable, and shows no sign of intelligent life. The decision hadn’t been made before we left, but Admiral Gagarin expects the Planetary Claims Commission to grant Captain Stevenson and her crew full rights to the planet. I would expect dozens of ships to be on their way out here wanting to open negotiations with Captain Stevenson.” She closed the recording and had the comtech send it. “And she’s not here. This is going to be a mess.” She turned and regarded the Amsterdam’s captain with a questioning expression.

  “We have twenty ships, Ma’am,” the captain of the Amsterdam said as he took receipt of the message. “We should be able to handle any trouble.”

  The trouble started nine days later. A ship arrived near the Farflung System and immediately broadcast a message in-system. “Admiral Ann’s Revenge, is the Capetown, under contract to Maritz Mines. I am David de Klerk, representing the Maritz Board of Directors. We would like to open negotiations concerning mining rights in your system.”

  The answer came seventeen hours later. “Capetown, this is Admiral Meerhof on board the CSS Amsterdam. The Admiral Ann’s Revenge returned to the Confederacy three weeks ago.”

  Mister de Klerk sat in stunned silence for a moment. “We missed them,” he whispered. He had the communications officer broadcast another message. “CSS Amsterdam, this is David de Klerk on the Capetown. Who has jurisdiction in this system now?”

  The reply was exactly what he didn’t want to hear. “Capetown, this is Admiral Meerhof. No one in the system has jurisdiction to negotiate any rights. We are here to discourage anyone who wants to try poaching.”

  Mister de Klerk contemplated his situation for nearly
an hour before making his decision. “If they are headed to Beloofte, the Board will have someone else begin negotiations there. Captain, we’ve made this trip for nothing. Please set course to return to Beloofte. I want to send another message to Admiral Meerhof.” At the communications officer’s nod, he spoke toward the microphone. “Admiral Meerhof, this is David de Klerk. We are returning to Beloofte. Capetown out.”

  The captain nodded. “We must refuel first. I show just forty-seven percent left in our tanks. I will contact the DA-CC ship Tivor Carva for fuel availability.”

  “Very well, captain. Do as you think necessary.” Mister de Klerk walked out of the control room, leaving the captain to see to his ship.

  They spent ten days decelerating into the Farflung system before rendezvousing with the Tivor Carva to take on fuel, then another ten accelerating outward before they blinked into hyper for the long voyage home.

  The Capetown was just the first of the ships seeking the Admiral Ann’s Revenge to be disappointed. Nine other mining conglomerates, six trade cartels, and twenty-seven system news crews all arrived within the next six days, and all of them were given the same message.

  “There is no one here to negotiate with. The Admiral Ann’s Revenge is on the way home.”

  Only Captain Kempler was happy with the situation. The old Tivor Carva was operating at nearly thirty percent capacity, and he was the only place in the system to get fuel. DA-CC was going to be very pleased when these credit transfers hit the banks.

  *

  The Admiral Ann’s Revenge emerged from hyperspace near the Nuwe Vaderland System and began their braking burn. “Fifty-seven percent left in the fuel tanks, Ann,” Sterling said as they decelerated into the system.

  “Not bad,” Ann noted without looking up from her computer screen. “Running empty saves a lot of fuel. Contact Beloofte Space Control and arrange docking and replenishment. I want to head for New Frankfurt as soon as we can.”