"The Hunter," Tom said after a moment, turning in the Direction of Coeur's gaze.
"Yeah, I was just thinking about how far away It is. They say the belt stars are 400 parsecs from the Coalition,"
"That's a ways, all right."
"A ways, yeah. It's so far away, I'll bet I'll never see it from another angle."
"I suppose it's kind of like a guardian angel, then," Tom mused, "It was there when you were born, and It'll still be there when you die."
"Hopefully," Coeur said, picking up the Idea, "it is a guardian angel—aguardianangelforallof us. There's still a lot of Wilds out there to explore."
"For some of us, you mean. For some of us, the Journey stops a bit short."
The Hunter, Coeur thought if you're our guardian angel, what does that tell us about our mission? The hunt alnays ends In death, yet we're supposedtortndiherighiandwrtnginollofthoL The Sdomani stranded me in space with 39{riendsand 17 chances tolive. They were my enemies, and I thought I was better than them. Then I did the same thing to Royal Vengeance that the Solomani did to Ainildk. I am their enemy, and sW I think I'm better than they ore. If we're oil hunters, what mokes us different? How do I think I stand for something better? If you are our guardian, guide us to that answer.
"Yeah," Coeur said, remembering not only V-Max, but her own lost comrades from this mission, "I suppose It does,"
Precisely 28 days later, the great meson gun below the Aguja Prieta Mountains thrummed back to life—and scarcely a day too soon. Manned by Red Eye, his Marines, Tom's pirates and 500 volunteers from Soledad, the giant weapon delivered an accurate full-power volley into open space [ust -40 hours before a fleet of Solee warships suddenly appeared at the planet, cruising inward from the outer system.
On the face of it, the Solee clearly seemed to outclass any defense Mexit might muster—two MiduAgos haam-C, I ass destroyers and a tonurt/r-class colonial cruiser, any one of which could extinguish Hornet with a single salvo. But they had clearly discounted the possibility of deep defenses, since they were maneuvering In a leisurely manner with all active sensors engaged. Mexit's new sensor net picked them up easily at the limit of its extreme range, and the Solee would pay accordingly.
"That looks ike Royal Vengeance," Red Eye said to Coeur, who was standing beside him down in the meson gun's fire control center, "The drive emissions are the same as the ones Snapshot recorded earlier."
Coeur's heart leapt ref lexlveiy— They mode ill— then sank just as quickly. And now v/e get to kill them again. You poor bastards. Why'd you have to come back?
"Back with some friends," Coeur said with disappointment, "to finish us off and take the planet. Or die trying."
Red Eye heard the sadness in her voice and looked at her. "Shall we open fire?"
This Is my job. If I don't do mine, they'll do theirs and kill me.
"No, let them get into your effective range first."
"Yes, sir. AH personnel, stand by,"
"Solee targets are closing to optimum range. Captain," Whiz Bang reported a few minutes later, "300,000 kilometers."
"Thinkyourweaponcanhandlelntenslvefire?"Coeur asked Red Eye.
"It should. It's as ready as It's gonna get."
"All fight, then. Target the big destroyers first," Coeur ordered. "Let 'em have it—maximum rate of lire."
if the Solee had any inkling of their fate, they didn't show it. Moving at high speed, but without evasive maneuvers, they were already close enough to detect Hornet parked in the outskirts of Soledad, but she was a target they would never engage.
Get out of here, youidiotil Coeur called In her mind.
"Taking first target under fire," Red Eye announced calmly.
The destroyer was no match for the battleship-sized meson gun. It blew apart in a blossom of plasma and glowing debris.
Get out of herel In the holographic sensor tank. Use two remaining blips began tracing erratic courses—evasive maneuvers—but kept coming.
'Taking second target under fire."
Get out of here!
The blip representing the second destroyer grew larger, became diffuse and faded away.
"Shifting to the last target, sir."
Coeur nodded, but suddenly alarms and klaxons blared in the control center.
"The homopolar generator bearings are heating up!" Whiz Bang called out.
"How much longer can you keep them going7"
"I can't sir—they' re just too old. The/re going to seize If I don't shut down!"
"All right," fted Eye answered, "pull the plug."
At that moment, the blip representing Royal Vengeance flickered and winked out. Coeur smiled.
Still hove an itchy jump-button linger? Well good for you. And don 'tcome back.
Mexit was safe.
"It's hard to Imagine," Cardinal Vazquez said two days later, glancing up through a stained glass window to the nighttime sky, "how a battle of such violence could be fought in the sky, and not be felt below. But I shall I take your word for if. Captain."
Coeur smiled.
"You might have had more proof than you wanted If that last destroyer hadn't withdrawn. But we gave the Solee a pretty good sting—I don't think they'll be back any Ume soon."
"So then, it's time for you to leave?"
"I'm afraid so, Your Holiness. I wanted to stick around until the meson gun's live fire test—and, of course, we saw that It worked. Now that the binding bearings have been replaced, I'm sure the gun'll do a fine job of protecting you here."
"Is It really so necessary for you to leave now? If you stayed, you could help us unify the nations of Mexit once and for all."
"Somehow, YourHoIiness," Coeur said, "I think you underestimate yourserf. You're a far better diplomat than I'll ever be. And besides, we're leaving the C-carrier and the ship's boat here, so It shouldn't be a proolem for you to get your shuttle diplomacy moving along quickly."
Pius, Coeur thought, we're leaving the tank here, too. Just knowing that's around should make some of the petty dicta lors trea! Vazquez with respect.
Coeur went on, "There's also thecrew of spacers we're leaving herewith you. Considering the skills and experience they possess, I doubt there's much the crew of Home! could add."
"Perhaps I should be a gracious host, then, and stop begging you to slay."
"Well, It's not like I wane to leave," Coeur said. "This Is a beautiful planet, with fine people. But I do have to get Tom back to Ra, and more important, I need to get my reports back to Aubaine so the fleet can send more people out here."
Vazquez nodded.
"Yes, I suppose you must. It's just difficult for me to imagine howa person could want to hurl herself across the stars the way you do, when I've always lived under this one sky, and I've never known any other."
Coeur smiled. "Actually, tliaf s a pretty healthy attitude. The more I travel, the more I see the advantages of staying In one place,"
"Indeed?"
"You aren't as likely to be hurt if you stay in one spot."
Civen the cardinal's capacity to sense another person's emotions (directly—through psionic empathy—Coeur suspected Vazquez would know what She meant. There were a great many deep scars Coeur had collected in her travels-
And then there were the deaths—not just Badger and Caffer, who were at least nearby when they died—but also her parents, and Darienand Scissor, who were far away In space and time, and she'd never had a chance to say good-bye.
So why trove!, Coeur thought, it it hurts so much7
"Indeed," Vazquez said. "Why do you travel, if it hurts you so much?"
"Because," Coeur answered, looking up at the giant sign of the Defender above the cathedral's altar. "You'll never see how far you could have gone, If you stay In one place."
"Perhaps I should let you go, then," Vazquez said, offering her hand to Coeur.
"Yes," Coeur said, turning back to the cardinal and accepting the handshake. "Good luck, Cardinal Vazquez."
"And Cod's spee
d to you. Captain D' tsprit."
Cod's speed.
Coeur then turned to go, walking out of the front doors of the church and Into the company of Cyro, waiting in the pilot's seat of Homer's hovering air-raft.
"So," Coeur said to Cyro, sliding into the forward passenger seat; "you clear up that pmnlem with the junior technarchs?"
'Yes, sir. I told them you'd slwot them if they tried to stay here."
"Gyro...."
"Sorry, sir, Just kidding. They're safely secured aboard—them and Tom."
"Good," Coeur said, buckling her seat belt "I wouldn't mind leaving the technarchs here, but I think Mexit's suffered enough disasters already."
"I'd have to agree with you. Captain. So, we ready to go home?"
"Lord, I hope so," Coeur said, leaning back in her seat and looking up at the stars. "Let's move out."
"Yes, sir," Gyro replied, firing up the air-raft's thrusters and steering them back toward Hornet.
* * *
Not an hour later. Hornet's flaring plasma thnjsters would be seen for the last time In the sky above Soledad, lifting the little freighter skyward In a streaking blue arc across the stars. The ship's work at Me* It was done, and her captain could not foresee any circumstance under which she would return.
Yet other ships would come toMexit—scout ships at first, then larger warships with men and supplies, and finally commercial transports taking cover beneath the umbrella of her meson gun. Though It would be months before that traffic would begin, eventually It would fill the skies of Mexit day and night, and eyes now astonished by the upward falling meteor of Hornet would no longer spare any starship—even the most magnificent of them— so much as a second glance.
One particular mind knew that very well—the mind behind a pair of eyes that never closed and never slept Gazing up Into the star-speckfed night from the lonely seaside mad he walked, he watched the pinpoint speck that was Hornet even after lesser human eyes had lost all resolution of the Image—and he knew the change It heralded.
God bless you, brave spacers, St. Graylord thought, and may the Defender speed you on your way.
Glossary
For theconvenienceof leaders wtio rnay not be familiar with GDWi Traveller universe, the following glossary provided for me and concepts referred to in the text, Air-Raft: (noun) A small conlra-grav fcf) vehicle, usually open-topped in design, often cameo as a small craft by larger vessels ancldistinguished from the speeoor (cf) by a lower maximum speed.
Anegathlc: (noun) A rare and extremely expansive drug which, taken in regular doses over time, can dramatically slow the aging process. When usod improperly, anagathics hava severe side affects. Anglic: (noun) Short for Galanglic, the most common language in the Last Imperium (cf). and still the most oommon language among its former momberworlds AO: (noun) Abbreviation for Area of Operations, designating a zone seven parsecs deep to coraward (cf) and spin ward (cf) of the Reformation Coalition, defining that government's present area of official operations rn the Wilds (cf). Arses: (noun) 1. Collective term for the members of the Reformation Coalition Exploratory Service (derived from the agency Initials RCES). 2. The RCES organization its oil (used pnmarily by members of the organization). Assembly of Worlds: (noun) The ruling body of the RC, with proportional representation by population of all mamberworlcis Given the loose nature of the Coalition, the Assembly has little authority over the actions of individual worlds and concentrates on the management of assets jointly hats by the Coalition at large The Assembly resides in the Hall of Worlds, on Aubaine Battle Dress: (noun) The ultimate form of personal protection, battle dress consists of a powotad axoskeleton with strength-enhancing features to increase the load-carrying ability of an individual soldier Although battle dress is quite formidable—even the most lightly
armored versions otter excelfent protection against shrapnel and project!Ids from smaller firearms—it Is not indestructible. It suffers from thedsadvantage that it lends to impair its wearer's physical agiliry, This disadvantage notwithstanding, however, battle dress is routinely issued in heavy and light versions to front-line troops and raiding lorcas of the Reformatio/. Coa'ioon Body Sleeve: (noun) A standard garment worn by RCES members Ills actually a standard coverall undergarment intended for wear beneath vac suits (d). However, because of ils durability and bullet-resistant qualities, if is typically worn as a standard casual uniform by RC personnel Bonoyerd: (noun, ad)) A world which lost all its . i population in the Collapse (cl) Also known as a H oemeiery world Bootitrap: (noun, ad] ) Designation for an RC technical support program In the Wilds (cl). Bogle: (noun) A target detected on sensors, currently unidentified as to whether it Is a friend or foe BrootTi3tlck: (noun) A very _
ftg ht contra-g rev (cf) tram pen consisting of sentially o I two grav belt (d) con tra-grav modules linked by a central rail with tandem seals ard lanc-jg skids Like a grav belt, it is powered by ducted propelle rs and is almost completely silent, and therefore preferred for short-range coved operators Centrist: (adj.) Tenr. describing one of two major voting blocs in the Assembly of Worlds (cf), led by Oriflamme and dedicated to the pursuit of a strong central government, ideally along the lines of a feudal technocracy (cl) Collapse, The: (noun) The period of ema I of lowing the release of the At Virus (cf). dunng which interste'lar uvikzaticn was essentially destroyed ;n the area of the Last Imperium (cf). Contra-Grav: (noun, adj.) Lifter technology used in high-technology "grav" vehicles, also referred
Oawn League: (noun) A loose inierstellar trading consortium in the itm-spinward corner oJ the Old Expanses sector, created with Hiver (cl) technical assistance in 1197; later (eorganizedas iheRolorma* lion Coalition.
Drop Trooper: (noun) Term re I erring to e soldier trained to assault 3 planetary target from orbti. arriving 31 the (argot in a specsatty designed one-per soft drop capsule DZ: (noun) Abbreviation tor o "dust zone." or landing area EMS Sensor; (noun) A sensor which uses the lull breadth of The electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), as opposed to only specific parts of it There arts two types of EMS sensors, activo and passive. Active eMS sensors are analogous to radar andladar in that they function by emitting radiation and Thon measuring the return which bounces back from the target Unlike radar and ladar active EMS does not limit itsell merely to radio or visible light bands, butuses the infrared, visible light, radio and portions at the spectrum Passive EMS sonsor suites passively collect electromagnetic radia tion in the form cl visible light {teloscopes) infrared racfcafion (passive thermal sensors), radio waves fradio and radar direction finders), etc . andiniegrateitall together to form a composite picture of the surrounding picture The advantage of passive EMS over active EMS is ihat it does not give itself away to possible enemies by putting oui its own radiation signaiuie, and it functions better at very long ranges The advantage of aciive EMS is that it is more precise, especially at short ranges and when time is critical, as passive EMS sensors often takoa long time to assemble a target solution from all of the little bits of passive data Far Trader: (noun) A standard type of small, commercial starship distinguished by jump drives (cl) with two-par-sec performance and maneuver dnves allowing 1G acceleration. This design has a distinctive bilurcateo "pickle fork" bow cori-figuraliOr.wiitithesiar-bcard control and pon quarters booms separated by the man cargo doors and air raft (cl) hangar. Federalist (ad| , Term describing one of two major voting blocs in the Assembly of Worlds (cl). led by Aubaine and dedicated to the preservation of a loose lederal government. Feudal Technocracy: (noun) A system of government m which specilic individuals govern on the bohall of thoso who consent to be ruled, and politic
al relationships are based upon the performance of technical tasks that are mutually benelicial Final Wer: (noun) The war which tasted from 1117 to 1130 and ended with the release of Virus (cl) It caused the loial destruction of the Last Irnperium (cf) andmost of us interstellar neighbors, precipitated
The Collapse (cl) and laid the foundation for tho Now era (cl) Flammer: (noun) Slang term for a native of the Coalition world Orillamme. generally pronounced *1lamer" when used in a derogatory manner Free Trader: {noun} Interstellar merchants who own their own ships and are rot behc.cten to any planetary government or organization This term is specifically used to reler to interstellar traders who are not members of the Guild (cl) Gas Giant: (noun) A large, primarily gaseous world, useful as a source of hydrogen for refueling star ships (a process known as skimming) Guild, The: (noun) An alliance of traders in the Wilds (cl) defeated to maintaining a monopoly on iniersiellar trade Also known as the Mercantile Guild or Merchants" Guild. Grav Belt; (noun) An individual transportation device consisting of a contra-grav module for lilt and vectored lans for thrusl. Such devices, though tim.led .n range and speed, are lavored for covert operations because of their virtually silent operation Groundhog: (noun) Slang term for individuals who intend to wait out difficult times by entering susponded animation in low berths The most sophisticated of theseare completely hidden and use systems of automated sensors to wake ihem at an opportune moment. HEPLAR: (noun) Acronym for high-efficiency plasma reoombusuon, the preferred thrusl agency for spacecraft and grav vehiclos above TLiO HEPLAR consists of a high efficiency heat exchanger littedto the crafts existing power plant which heals liquid hydrogen roaction mass (the same iuol used lot fusion plants and |ump drives (cf)) to a high-energy plasma which provides thrust Hlvor:(noun)Amamberolaninielligentstarl3Mng species originating on the planet Guaran and descended from omnivore gatherer/ scavengers Hivers have radially symmetrical six-limbed bodies, are mute and hgvg only one gender Their mosi exotic features from a human perspective are their instinctive practice of manipulation, tear of violentconlrontation, lack of emotion and a peculiar parental instinct that even extends to other species Their lack of a spoken language obliges them to adopt spoken names for themselves when dealing with talking races, such as humans Although the Hivers are genderiess. their frequent adoption of human male and female names means that the pronouns "he* and "she" are sometimes used for Hivers, though It" is technically accu rate.
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