END of LINE: Humanities Last Stand - part 3

by John Short

  The tube was connected to an airlock just to the rear of the main hangar and Jon was spellbound at the shear size of the open cargo space. The hangar ran for the full length of the ship and with the doors open on both sides it was little more than a tunnel starting at the port side flank and going clear across to the starboard side. It was so big that there were several electric carts lined against a wall used by the crew to get from one point to another in the bay that currently was loaded with crates of goods destined for the Haven markets. They rode together in one of the carts to the forward portion of the bay toward a bank of elevators located in the middle of the bay along the forward bulkhead.

  “WOW, Wrenches, this is much bigger than I imagined.” Jon exclaimed.

  “She is a beast Boss. Plus someone forgot to off load a couple of fighters before selling her to me. We've got four of the new xray single seaters stowed away up near the launch tubes. Wait until you see the staterooms up top. This baby must have been designed for an Admiral. Everything is top end. The relief chambers even have gold fixtures up where the officer's quarters were.” Phillie informed him. “Of course I'll have to make a small secret passageway between two of them after you pick the one you want for yourself.”

  “Why do we need a passageway?”

  “In case we ever have a certain Royal guest passenger, remember?”

  “Yes, but by that time I hope she'll be able to openly walk into my stateroom without anyone being shocked.” Jon confided in her. “Phillie, I gave her my house colors, have you heard of or seen her wearing them?”

  “I know you gave them to her. She told me about it when you had me inspect her luggage for that explosive device on the old Pluto.” Phillie told him. “If she has worn them in public yet though I have not heard. I've been rather busy with my duties on the new ships. Haven't had much time to watch any news vids. Let's head on up to the command bridge. Do you want to fly her home?”

  “Oh yes. I'd love to fly her.” Jon was as happy as a youngling who had just been given a desperately desired present. “Everything down here looks so new!”

  “The whole ship looks like this. Jon, she is the most beautiful ship I've ever flown. Everything on or in her has a purpose for being here and it all works!”

  The elevator opened onto the command bridge and the sight had Jon standing slack jawed at the mass of computer banks and workstations that surrounded a central command chair. “ATTENTION ON DECK!” Phillie yelled out. “Admiral Connell is onboard his flagship and will take command for the trip to Haven.” Phillie informed the bridge crew. “The ship is yours Admiral.” she said and then saluted by placing her fist over her heart and bowing to Jon.

  Returning the salute Jon told her, “Very well Captain Phillmma, I have command.” Jon saw the look of complete shock and surprised anger at his use of her new rank of Captain. He knew that she'd have to learn to accept it, just like he'd have to learn to be the Admiral of his own fleet of battle ready cargo vessels.

  In a matter of minutes Jon had contacted Station Control and been given his disconnect permissions and flight course away from Lexon Station to make the slip to Haven. In a matter of minutes the ship was clear of the station and proceeding to its assigned spot on the slipway entry when Jon received a call from Engineering. It was Wrenches, “FTL is online and ready to activate at your command Admiral.”

  “Understood Wrenches” Jon replied. Glancing at the pilot seated at the controls directly in front of the command chair, “Take us to Haven Ensign, best possible speed.” he ordered.

  “Aye, Admiral.” and that's when the view screen went blank as the stars blurred due to the speed of the Mercury. Exactly three and a half hours later the Mercury blasted out of the slipway into Haven space and slowed to the maximum allowed in the system as it headed directly for the orbiting station ahead of them. Jon contacted Haven control, “Haven, this is the Mercury requesting docking clearance and BBITCo. transfer shuttles to off load cargo.”

  “You just left Lexon space. How did you get here that fast?” a confused controller asked.

  “Its the new engine design that this ship has thanks to our brilliant Flight Engineer, Captain Phillmma.” Jon told the man and in doing so made her new rank official. She was now a Captain in the BBITCo fleet and a certified FTL pilot to boot. Her FTL certs were a matter of record, now her rank would be also. Having taken care of the ship, he announced to the crew, “Attention everyone. I've gone over the reports on your performance and I see nothing but good things. To express my gratitude for your work, everyone onboard this ship will receive a ten percent raise in pay effective now. Well done people. Keep it up and you'll be the highest paid crew in the known galaxy. Connell out.” Jon closed down the ship wide COM but the sounds of the crew shouting and yelling as they celebrated their raise could be heard throughout the vessel anyway. Just the applause of the bridge crew was deafening. Phillie had come through for him in every way and even surprised him by boosting his engines and hiring a dedicated crew to man his ship. He sat back in the large comfortable command chair and smiled as the Mercury raced toward Haven Station and his quiet home in the mountains.

  Chapter Eight

  Three weeks into his two month leave his com badge interrupted his nap. Meetings had kept him busy everyday since he'd gotten home, but he'd managed to clear his schedule today. He had spent the morning hiking the forests near his home and enjoying the peace of the mountain even though the place felt empty now without Rina here with him. “Connell here, go ahead”

  “Hi Butcher. What are you doing?” Zeprik's happy voice came through.

  “I'm sun bathing naked in my yard. Why?”

  “I was thinking I'd stop by to see that fabled house you own.

  “Come ahead. I was wondering if you'd come by. When will you be here?”

  “How about in an hour?”

  “Sounds good to me. I'll open a bottle of that nasty Lexon wine you claim to like so much.”

  “Great, see you then. Can I bring someone with me?”

  “I suppose, do I need more of the wine or will beer work?”

  “Definitely the wine. See you in a little bit. Rik out”

  Jon had not planned on any guests and had been enjoying the simple pleasure of nude sunbathing while far from any prying eyes spying on him. Now he had to quickly go upstairs and take a shower, then dress in at least a pair of leggings and his boots. Then he went down to Satrina's stash of wines in his lower level and brought up two bottles of the better wine, leaving Rina's special wines alone. Those were only for her.

  He had just finished placing the wine in a quick cooler in his kitchen when the announcer chimed that someone was at the front door. Jon quickly went over and opened the door only to find video equipment shoved in his face. “Jon Connell, this is VIDNET news. What can you tell us about BBITCo. parking a warship in orbit around Haven?”

  “Nothing, now get off my property.”

  “The people have a right to know why you have that ship up there.”

  “Go away!” Jon was suddenly angrier than he had been in cycles.

  “We're not leaving until you tell us why there is a warship orbiting Haven?”

  They would leave soon. Jon yelled out “TALGA! ATTACK!” then he slammed his door shut as he heard his pet tiger roar. The news people started screaming and running for their hover craft. Jon chuckled to himself when he played back the home security video of the incident and saw one of the camera people fall on his face into the pool in front of the house, soaking his expensive camera equipment in the knee deep water of the spraying fountain. He had trained his tiger well. The animal never showed itself. It roared and made noises at the edge of the forest, but it stayed totally out of sight. “Good boy Talga.” Talga will be getting extra milk today. Not thinking the station would ever air the piece, Jon quickly made a cut of the video feed to send to a competitor’s station along with his own voice over.

  “This is Jon Connell. The Mercury belongs to me. It is currently
leased to BBITCo. under contract to haul legal cargo between Haven and Lexon II. It was a military NOVA class Carrier, and while it still has its cannons, it does not have any attack craft onboard. I plan to use it to carry much needed supplies out to the rim worlds. She may come under attack from the pirates out there, so she is ready to fight if she needs to. Her cannon are defensive in nature and she poses no threat to the people of Haven. Now, never again send your snoops to my doorstep because next time my pet will attack and you'll be cleaning up body parts instead of egos.”

  He packaged the whole thing into a nice 60-second piece and sent it off to the editor of VIDNET's competitor. He wondered if the competitor would play it or hold it to use against him or the other station at some point. He decided that he should start putting his plans for leaving Haven into action soon. Except for the things still locked away downstairs there wasn't much reason to stay here any longer. He could transfer the stuff a little at a time up to Mercury and have it all stored in his stateroom or in one of the many storage spaces built into the carrier that were not being used now that she was refitted as a cargo vessel.

  The announcer interrupted his thoughts again. Checking his security videos first this time, he saw a group of the Royal Guard waiting at his door. “What do you want?” Jon called to them through the house coms.

  “The Crown Prince demands entry. Open the door to your Prince.” the apparent leader of the guard demanded.

  “I don't know any Prince, nor do I open my door to a bunch of over dressed snobs making demands. GO AWAY! No wait, I have a better idea. Strip down to your underthings, then get lost! TALGA, ATTACK!” Jon demanded right back. Again he could hear his cat roaring and making noises, but something was different. This time the cat wasn't acting as he had with the reporters and it was carefully approaching the waiting hovercraft, sniffing the air with each step. It had recognized someone in that craft Jon thought.

  Still not willing to open his house to a bunch of demanding Royal Guards Jon watched as they all turned on his tiger and advanced with their spears lowered. Talga simply sat in front of the craft's doorway facing the guards and showing his sharp teeth in a threatening manner. That's when he heard the one voice he had wanted to hear for months call out, “STOP!” Soon a tiny Lexie female with golden red hair braided down her back jumped out of the craft and knelt down to throw her arms around the big cat's neck and hug it tightly. “Talga, I have missed you. Still the faithful friend aren't you?” she told the tiger as it steadily purred against her face. Standing she scratched the tiger behind his ears and told him, “Go play before the guards hurt you.” Then with a snort that only a large cat can make when it thinks an idea is funny, the huge black saber-tooth ran into the forest and disappeared. “Come brother. There is much I need to tell you.”

  Satrina walked past the guards with her brother in tow and as she approached the house the security system recognized her and automatically clicked the door open. Once she and Zeprik were inside, the system slammed the door in the faces of the guards who attempted to follow. Speaking loudly she called for Jon. “Where are you my giant?”

  “I'm here in the kitchen.” he replied, stepping into view only to find Rina already running to throw herself into his arms. He easily caught her and pulled her close to his chest. “Rina, I missed you.” he told her then he bent to kiss her deeply.

  “I missed you too my beautiful giant.” she told him when the kiss broke. “Put me down and let me introduce you to my brother.” she told Jon who released her to slide down his body to stand on the floor.

  “Jon Connell, this male standing in our living space with his jaw on the floor is my brother, Crown Prince Zeprik. Brother, this beautiful giant is my mate, Jon Connell. I was going to be more gentle about telling you brother, but after what Talga just did outside I didn't see any reason. No one will ever believe that I can tame wild beasts with a hug. Talga is that beautiful black tiger you saw me embrace. He is Jon's pet and my protector when I visit the house. You must be careful around him brother until he knows you. Then he'll be as playful as a palace kitten.”

  “That monster outside is no kitten!” Zeprik exclaimed.

  “I think I'll go downstairs and bring up some of your favorite wine my tiny tigress.” Jon smiled at Rina giving her a quick kiss. “I can see you two need to talk.” Jon hurriedly made his way past his mate and her brother on his way to the lower level and the wine storage.

  “How long has this been between you and Butcher?” Zeprik asked.

  “I knew the first time I saw him that day at the re-unification ceremony. Then I took time here after I left Sanctuary and we met almost by accident. He nearly crashed into my hover craft while going into town.” Rina waited to gauge her brother's reaction to her words. “I claimed him then, and he accepted my claim. We are mates. He has given me his house colors, and his house to use as I please, even if he is not on Haven.”

  “So you have already united? Without father's blessing?” Zeprik asked, the astonishment in his voice clearly showing.

  “No brother.” Jon answered for her as he returned to the room. “We will not insult your father that way, nor will I use your sister only to die in battle and leave her with nothing but this house and part ownership in a small cargo company. She needs her family too much. I will not be the cause of her suffering such a loss.” Jon placed Rina's favorite wine in the cooler before turning back to the brother and sister standing together now in his kitchen. “Rina, your wine will be chilled to your liking in just a little bit. Meanwhile, I think your brother needs his now.” he said as he opened a bottle and poured the wine into a glass which he placed in front of the Prince. “I'm not going to say I'm sorry Zeprik. Satrina is the light that has been missing in my life and I will not apologize for loving her. I had no idea she was your sister though or that you were the Crown Prince. At training you were just LT. Zeprik, Rik on the radio and Prik to your men.” Jon told him. He and Zeprik had become good friends during their training together. Each one learning to depend on the other to fulfill the mission profile successfully and come home safely. Their few rest periods had become something of a game with each one playing tricks on the other until now. This was the best trick of them all!

  “Well Butcher, I'm going to tell you a secret.” Zeprik told him with a smile just as Rina came up to stand beside Jon with a glass of wine in one hand and a beer for him in the other. “I was going to bring Satrina with me today to introduce the two of you in the hopes that she might find you to be a suitable mate. I remembered how impressed she was with how you handled that King boy at the ceremony.” Looking at his sister he continued, “Yes baby sister, I remember how you whispered to your servant asking her to find out everything she could about our friend Jon here.” Looking back to Jon he went on, “She will soon be at the age of consent where she must either find her own mate or one will be appointed by the King.”

  Rina looked up at Jon and asked, “May I change into our house colors husband?”

  “You know where they are my love. They belong to you. Wear them anytime you want.” Jon lovingly assured her and she ran up the stairs to find the outfit she wanted to wear to show her brother how beautiful the Connell House colors were. The closet where her garments were kept was magic! It had replaced every item that she had taken on the ship with her with new ones! She quickly selected the most beautiful of all the gowns so as to properly impress her brother. This one would be the gown she'd wear to any Royal functions they attended as husband and wife! In her heart she knew no other Lexonian Royal had a gown as glorious as this one. As quickly as she could she removed her royal scarlet garments and donned the multicolored gown.

  “I'm not an expert on Lexonian mating customs Rik.” Jon admitted, “What do we do now? I'm serious about not taking her to bed while I'm under contract and liable to get killed. I won't spoil her that way.”

  “Jon, did you accept her claim?” Zeprik asked.

  “Yes he did.” Satrina answered, “And claimed me a
s well.”

  “Did you accept his claim? Did he gift you with a special name that only he uses?”

  “I did accept his claim and he gave me my special name.”

  “Under Lexonian law, Jon, it is your right to unite with her. No Lexonian would think of her as used if something happened after a claim and counter claim has been accepted by both parties. Yours is the longest period of celibacy I've ever heard of!” Zeprik explained. “Where did you get that gown Satrina? I've never seen any houses' colors look so brilliant.” Satrina walked up to her brother as the two males spoke.

  “These are the colors of House Connell. They are also my house colors now believe it or not brother, the house picked the right one for me. Once father knows I shall proudly wear them at court.” she proclaimed.

  “You shall be the envy of every female on ten planets!” Zeprik complimented her. “They all try to make themselves as beautiful as you now. Dear sister, they will be screaming at their tailors for weeks when you appear in that gown.”

  “Thank you for understanding brother.” Satrina whispered as she hugged her big brother before moving to be near to Jon.

  “What about your father?” Jon asked. “Won't he be angry with her over this if we don't tell him first?”

  “He'll be upset at first, but he'll get over it.” Zeprik told them both. “He still misses his own sister.” Looking at Satrina, “You never heard about our aunt. Their father once got so angry at his daughter that he put her out of the Royal House and forbade anyone from even mentioning her name. Father told me once that he could never get that angry with a child of his. So, I imagine that he will be angry, but even before you open your womb to bear him grand- children, all will be forgiven. For your mating to be recorded in the Palace records, you'll still need to repeat the claiming ceremony in front of witnesses, but that won't be a problem once father sees how in love you are.” Zeprik took a long drink from his wine before saying, “Jon Connell, if you are half the male that I hope you to be, you will take my sister upstairs and unite with her before the sun raises tomorrow. Give her good reason to be seen wearing your colors. That is our way. Now, before I go, show me this crystal lake I've grown up hearing about.