“Tis a shame ye saw fit to bring such as him along,” Harriet said as she shook her head. “This canna’ be ignored.”
Kevin O’Sullivan saw his own death in Harriet’s eyes and stepped back from the view screen. “I’m sure we can reach some arrangement, Missus Fairmont.”
“Anâ why should I no just let me daughter blow yer sorry carcasses into space-dust?” she asked sweetly. “âTis within her rights, anâ mine.”
A new voice intruded as Ann was about to continue. “Narcissus, this is Captain David Hastings of the heavy cruiser CSS Lisbon. We are underway on a least-time course to your location. Stand down and prepare to be boarded upon our arrival.”
Ann looked at Sterling and said, “I wondered when their reply to the initial message was going to get here.”
Sterling shook his head. “Our last plot had them on the far side of the system, near Haeckel. A three and a half hour communications lag is about right.”
“It’ll still take them all day to get here, even at maximum military thrust,” Ann observed, then looked at the view screen before continuing, “and we’ll still have jurisdiction in any case. The Navy can’t take civilian law into their own hands unless they are outside a system’s sphere of influence, or the system government asks them to.”
Mister O’Sullivan was sweating profusely as he stared at her. “P-President Stevenson, we surrender. Please don’t fire on us. We’ve already released the crewmembers we were holding.” Three men in the Narcissus ship’s uniform moved into view, and two of them took Kevin by the arms and pulled him aside as the third man faced the view screen.
Harriet smiled and whispered, “First Mate Geoffrey Tierney.”
“Madam Fairmont, we have retaken the ship,” the First Mate announced, looking at Harriet rather than Ann. “I’ve ordered the leaders held in isolation, and carefully watched.”
“Well done, Geoff,” Harriet replied. “Well done indeed. We’ll find an appropriate punishment for them once the Lisbon arrives.”
Ann looked past her mother and said, “Sterling, take Olaf, Balder, Thom, and Rauld to the Narcissus. Arm yourselves with nine-millimeters and shotguns. If there is any trouble prior to the Lisbon taking the prisoners, use your own judgment as to the level of force you use. Do not hazard yourself or any member of either crew.”
Ann’s orders were carried to the Narcissus by the communications system, as Ann had intended, and everyone on the Narcissus was very subdued by the time First Mate Tierney cut the connection.
Chapter 45
IT TOOK THE CSS LISBON CLOSER to two days to arrive in Frisland orbit, even at the higher accelerations the Navy was allowed to use. When Captain Hastings sent his Marines over to the Revenge to take custody of the prisoners, they brought Ann and Harriet back with them.
The Marine comtech had informed the Lisbon of their additional passengers, and there was a full presidential honor guard lined up in the shuttle bay when they arrived. Ann was, naturally, allowed to disembark first.
Since they hadn’t decided on a system anthem yet, the Confederate Anthem played as Ann marched past the side-boys to stop a meter from Captain Hastings and ask, “Permission to come aboard, sir?”
“Welcome aboard, President Stevenson. Missus Fairmont.” The captain smiled past Ann to her mother for an instant, then focused on Ann once again. “President Stevenson, on behalf of my ship and crew, please allow me to say it’s an honor to finally meet you face-to-face.”
Ann let her own Navy training take over and replied, “The honor is ours, Captain Hastings.”
The captain smiled, and then motioned for Ann to accompany him as he turned away. “Listening to the communications between you and the Narcissus while we were trying to get here had me dreading the outcome. Tell me, would you have really fired on them?”
Ann nodded. “If they hadn’t surrendered, yes. But the first shot would have been at one-tenth power. Just enough to punch a hole in the outer hull and create a leak. I doubt a second shot would have been necessary, and the automatic systems would have sealed the leak in just a few seconds.”
The captain shook his head slowly. “The legality of that action would have taken years to determine.”
“No, Captain Hastings, it wouldn’t,” Ann replied without looking at him. “We had the entire system government on board, including what passes for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and we were all in agreement. We couldn’t let the New Erin Mob take over our first space port. At least not that portion of the Mob.” She frowned at her mother for a moment. “Our own family ties to New Erin’s shady side are more than sufficient.”
The captain glanced at Harriet with a noncommittal expression, but she just grinned without saying anything. “Madam Fairmont,” he finally asked, “how did you get involved with them?”
“By birth, as I told O’Sullivan and Ryan. I married Annie’s father when he was a junior ambassadorial aid from New Britannia. In time he became Senator John David Fairmont, and was Chairman of the Confederate Senate Armed Services Appropriations Committee.” She paused as the famous senator’s name registered. “I broke all ties with the family on New Erin for his sake, for the sake of his career. But he’s dead these nine years, and there was no reason for me not to claim me heritage.”
“Remarkable,” was the captain’s only reply.
“Captain,” Ann said to change the subject, “I would like to use your brig for a few days to keep our prisoners safe. The Revenge doesn’t have one, and we don’t have a prison of any kind in the system.”
“Of course, Madam President,” he automatically replied.
*
Only Darby Ryan, Kevin O’Sullivan, and four others were put on trial. They had been the senior members of Clan Ryan and Clan O’Sullivan, and paid the price for all of their followers.
Since Frisland didn’t have an actual prison, and they couldn’t be kept locked up in the Navy brigs, Ann and Captain Hastings agreed to a compromise. It was by no means unique or original, but it was effective.
A small island in the Brasov Islands was designated a prison, and the men were dropped off near a freshwater stream with basic supplies. A list of what was and was not edible was provided, along with fishing equipment, but no hunting gear. There were no carnivores bigger than a Chinese beetle on the island. There were, however, in the water. Ann was careful to point out the long shapes in the water as they circled in to land, and everyone seemed impressed.
“Please don’ do this,” Kevin O’Sullivan pleaded. “Ye canna expect us to survive in this wilderness.”
“We can. And you won’t have that difficult a time of it. Most of the plants on this island are edible. Even alcoholic. You’ll have to fish for protein, but that’ll keep you busy. There are very few creatures you need to worry about, and all of them are in the water. When we can arrange transport back to the rest of the Confederacy, you’ll be retrieved and sent to a central system prison. Probably on New Erin.” She smiled as the men looked at her with eager expressions. “I’m sure Fitzgibbons and Kilkelly will be more than happy to ensure your stay in prison is a short one.” Now the expressions turned to dread. A short stay in a New Erin prison meant a quick death at the hands of another inmate.
Sterling landed the shuttle, then joined Rauld and Thom escorting the prisoners, one-at-a-time, out to the surface. Once all six of them were off the shuttle, Sterling used the cargo handling arm to unload three bales of supplies. Each bale held a CSS Navy issue two-man tent, two sleeping bags, food for twenty days, and assorted survival gear that would allow the prisoners at least a modicum of comfort. Then they sealed the shuttle and Sterling began his liftoff sequence.
As the shuttle lifted, Ann looked out the side window and saw Darby Ryan run toward them. “What is he—?”
The expressions of horror on the faces of the other five prisoners said it all. Rather than face his failure, Darby Ryan had run into the takeoff jets’ exhaust, and been killed instantly.
&
nbsp; Sterling maintained power and lifted them clear of the island, then set course for the Revenge. Once he could turn the shuttle over to its autopilot, he turned toward Ann.
“He chose his end. Better a quick death under the shuttle than a slow one on New Erin.”
Ann nodded, but she never looked away from the view port, and soon her shoulders heaved as grief at what she’d done, intentional or not, tore into her.
Sterling tried to comfort her, but the unwieldy bulk of their pressure-suits limited what he could do. He couldnât even hold her hand.
Chapter 46
THE ADMIRAL ANN’S REVENGE HAD BEEN in Frisland orbit for sixty-three days before the Tashmeryn finally arrived. She took a geosynchronous orbit three thousand kilometers from the slowly forming Harriet Fairmont Space Port and announced that she was open for business.
Ann took her entire crew except Denise, Olaf, and Mandy to the Tashmeryn the next day for a break from the day-to-day duties that had filled all of their lives for so long.
The Tashmeryn had been refitted into a reasonable facsimile of a resort satellite, and it included several fine restaurants. None of the names were familiar to the senior crewmembers, but the Beloofters recognized them right away.
Dihandri said, “Captain, please, let’s go to Rheeder’s,” as soon as she saw the sign. “Rheeder’s is one of the best restaurants in Beloofte orbit.” Ann and Sterling shared a glance and let Dihandri guide them.
Rheeder’s Restaurant was luxurious to the point of decadence. The tables were real wood, polished to a deep shine that defied description. Subdued lighting gave the place an intimate air, and the comfortable chairs and light music made their guests feel more like they were at home than any of them ever felt, even when they were at home.
A well-dressed man met them at the door. “May I help you?” he asked, bowing to the group in general since there was no way to tell rank by the ship’s coveralls they all wore.
Rauld stepped forward and announced, “I would like to present System President Annette Stevenson, and her vice-president and husband, Sterling Stevenson.” Rauld stopped talking as a wave of silence rolled across the room, only to rebound off the far wall in excited whispers.
The man was stunned speechless for an instant, then turned and bowed deeply to Ann. “Madam President, I am honored to welcome you to Rheeder’s. Please allow me to escort you to our finest table.” Ann nodded and followed a pace behind the man. She held Sterling’s arm and smiled up at him, remembering other times when they had visited restaurants together.
The man held Ann’s chair for her as other waiters and waitresses hurried over to hold chairs for the rest of the group. Once everyone was seated, they handed out menus. “If there is anything I can do to make your visit more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to ask,” he said as he bowed once again, then backed away.
Ann and Sterling shared a smile with the rest of their group before Ann opened her menu. “Lords of Space, it’s a good thing you provided us with a good credit line, Mom. Look at these prices.”
Harriet did look and then cursed under her breath. “I’d never charge near this much,” she muttered.
“I guess they’re planning to keep most of their miners’ wages here in the system,” Thom said as he shook his head over the prices.
“When there’s nowhere else to spend your money, you can charge whatever you want,” Balder said with a deep sigh.
Sterling chuckled when he read the menu. “Denise is going to like it,” he observed. “They have real beef steak from New Texas.”
“Why is that a big deal?” Dihandri asked.
“Denise is from New Texas,” Sterling replied. “Real beef and a beer called Stony Mountain are the only things she misses about it. She’ll be over here as soon as we tell her.”
“Probably,” Ann agreed. “We’ll give them a week or two and then introduce their chefs to Frisland cuisine. I’m sure Dihandri’s creations are going to go over marvelously.” She smiled at her ship’s cook and winked. “Make them name the dishes after you, Di.”
Dihandri smiled and ducked her head in embarrassment. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Four waitresses soon arrived, which seemed excessive for a party of thirteen, but no one said anything. The oldest of them stopped between Ann and Sterling and said, “Madam President, what can I bring you to drink?”
“I think a nice burgundy to start,” Ann replied. “Sterling?”
Sterling smiled and nodded. “For me as well. Ma?”
Harriet shook her head as she replied, “I prefer Chablis.”
Rauld was on Harriet’s far side and said, “Cape Town’s Downfall.” His accent, as well as what he’d ordered, had the waitress grinning as she backed away. All around the table, the other waitresses had taken their orders and left.
Sterling asked, “What is Cape Town’s Downfall?”
Rauld thought for a moment, and then explained, “It’s a beer with a shot of whiskey, a jigger of rum, and a twist of lime. I’ll warn you, it’s an acquired taste.”
“That only a fool would acquire,” Doctor Persoon added. “Sterling, it’s like mojo in the Navy. You don’t taste what’s in it until you try to stand up and your legs won’t work.” All of the ex-Navy personnel chuckled. Mojo had as many formulas as there were ships in the Navy.
Katrina looked at Dihandri and asked, “What do you recommend, Di?”
“I’m getting the Rhino Rump Roast,” she replied, grinning at the chuckles from the other Beloofters.
“I’d recommend the pasta dishes,” Mijon suggested. “They are the most like what the rest of the Confederacy enjoys. Some of the meat dishes can be a bit gamey tasting.”
“We’ve loaded out in Beloofte several times and didn’t notice any odd taste,” Katrina said as she focused on him.
“True,” Mijon agreed, “but that is because supplies for sale in orbit have been treated to reduce the flavor. They are soaked in salt water for at least a week. Order some meat, but as a small side dish. Taste it first, and then decide if it’s what you want.”
“That is probably good advice for all of us,” Ann said as she looked around.
The waitresses were returning with their drinks, and soon everyone was ordering, relying on the advice of the Beloofters as to what to order. When the waitresses once again retreated, Ann raised her glass.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Farflung System.”
“Farflung,” everyone agreed and took a sip.
There was a commotion at the side of the table, and everyone frowned at Bart. He was looking nervous for some reason and finally stood, bowing to Ann first, then turning to face Katrina and going to one knee.
“Katrina Alexandra Von Rubenstein,” he said in a strong, clear voice, “will you marry me?”
Kat smiled as everyone fell silent, and then stood. “Bartholomew Andres Roberts, yes, I will marry you.”
Bart looked like he was about to collapse, and reached out to take her hand. “I give to you this ring as token of our engagement,” he said as he brought out the ring he’d spent nearly his entire savings on. The diamond sparkled in the light of the restaurant as he took it out of the padding and slipped it onto her finger.
Bart started to stand, but Kat caught him halfway up in a headlock and kissed him passionately. They remained like that for just a moment, then Bart finished standing, lifting Kat up to maintain their kiss. Subdued clapping from the table turned into loud congratulations as the rest of the group joined in.
“âTis a blessing indeed,” Harriet said as she walked around to hug the young couple.
“How long until you want to actually get married?” Ann asked as she gave them a hug.
“Soon,” Katrina replied without taking her eyes off Bart.
“Don’t you want your family here?” Sterling asked.
Kat turned and looked at him, then at Ann. She whispered, “They are,” as she reached out to Ann. “You are my family.”
The End
&
nbsp; About the author
A U. S. Navy veteran, Loren K. Jones served as a nuclear reactor operator on attack submarines for six years before his honorable discharge in 1986. Loren makes his living as an instrumentation and controls technician, and writes because the stories won’t leave him alone until he does.
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