by C. R. Daems
"Check upstairs," the first man's voice again.
I fought to quiet the panic I felt. Will it never end? I wondered, feeling despair. I needed a weapon. Alexa pulled my arm and pointed toward the opening in the bookcase. I understood and dove headfirst through the opening. Alexa followed and pressed the button that swung the panel closed. She strode to the control panel and flipped a few switches.
"They have to be someplace. Search under the beds, in the closets. Maybe there's a basement. Find them, damn it. We don't have all night. The police will show up here eventually. And be careful not to damage that krait."
"They don't have all night, but we do." Alexa snorted. She flipped a couple of switches and the monitor showed several men and a woman as they systematically searched each room.
"Magistrate Bellona, the police and NIA security have shuttles on the way. Five minutes," said a voice from one of the in-room speakers.
"Thanks, Chief. We’re safe for now." Alexa put her arms around me and pulled me to her. I felt like a little girl again—afraid—and pressed closer to her. I had panicked and could have gotten my mother killed. Shame washed over me.
"Now isn't this better than shooting them and spending days in the hospital?" she said quietly while stroking my head.
"I ... Yes, Mother. This is much better," I said snuggling into her embrace. "Red doesn't like guns."
It was well over an hour before a police lieutenant and a naval security lieutenant stood in the open front entrance. The door was a mangled mess of steel hanging by one hinge to the frame.
"It's safe to come out. The area has been cleared of intruders, and we have men guarding the grounds," the square-shouldered policeman said looking upward, his eyes searching for a camera.
"Thank you, Lieutenant, we'll be down shortly." Alexa said into her microphone. Then she released me. "Are you feeling well enough to leave?"
"I'm sorry, Mother. I panicked when I heard the shooting and the men breaking into the house. I'm ashamed but all right now, thanks to you."
"Then we're even. You saved me last time, and I saved you this time," she laughed, then sobered. "I understand. The thought that it was happening again, and your fear of me being killed—not you. You're not a coward. You panicked because you were worried about me. Thank you." She kissed my forehead and pulled me to my feet, hit the button that opened the entrance, and stepped through with me following. Each room we passed was a mess, which showed their growing anger at not being able to find me, I thought. Downstairs was even worse: windows shot out, holes in the walls, furniture overturned.
"Your arrangements proved necessary and worthwhile," the young naval officer said as his eyes surveyed Alexa and me. "We killed eight and captured two of the intruders. They were well armed and organized. They killed the naval security guard and seriously wounded the police officer."
"They saved our lives. Without their warning and slowing down those men, we couldn't have gotten to safety," Alexa said, her face tight. "I wish I could say this will never happen again, but I'm afraid my daughter's krait is too valuable both in terms of money and as a life-saving solution whenever there is a Coaca outbreak. But I hope we can find a security setup that won’t cost any guards their lives next time."
"At least we're making progress. Last time you both went to the hospital," the police officer said with a crooked grin.
"And thanks to your quick response. If you will allow us to gather some things together, I think my daughter and I will stay in town ... at the naval base until the house can be repaired."
I went upstairs and packed a suitcase and waited downstairs for her. She appeared sometime later.
"I've made arrangements for us to stay at guest quarters at the Oxax Naval Base and for workmen to begin repairs tomorrow. So if I can catch a ride with you in your skimmer, we can be off. Cheer up, Anna. We're alive and unhurt."
"I was thinking about our budget," I quipped. The sight of her well and in a good mood cheered me up, and I let go of Red, who I had been squeezing. Fortunately, he was solid muscle. She laughed, putting her arm in mine as we headed toward the skimmer.
* * *
I missed the next meeting of our group but threw myself into the messages with a vengeance, thinking the intruders the other night and the smugglers were related, if only indirectly. Late the second night, I smiled.
"Got you!" I half shouted in triumph, jerking Alexa awake. She had been snoozing in the lounge chair where she had been reading.
"What?" she said, her eyes darting around the room.
"Sorry. I think I found the key to these messages."
"Good, you've been overdoing it the past few days. Forget I said that. I'd hate to have you hunting me, my bloodhound daughter. I'm going to bed." She kissed my forehead and headed for the bedroom.
Decker provided the key for the drop-off and pickup systems and coordinates. By two hundred hours, I had determined that the drop-off planet varied each year and didn't seem to have a specific time, only specific coordinates. However, the pickup times occurred three times a year, and the times and coordinates varied. At three hundred hours, I sent Adrian an urgent message, forgetting until too late the time.
To: Lieutenant Adrian Shrader, Copy: Lieutenant Kristyn Sinclair, Lieutenant Wilber Weiss
I've decoded the Wheeler messages. If you haven't already done so, I suggest a meeting tomorrow.
Signed: Paulus
An hour later I received a reply.
To: Paulus, Copy: Lieutenant Kristyn Sinclair, Lieutenant Wilber Weiss
It's already tomorrow for the rest of us. See you and the team at ten hundred hours. Good work.
Signed: Lieutenant Shrader
* * *
When I arrived a little after eight, everyone was already there, smiling. I neared them with my face feeling on fire from the unaccustomed attention.
"Good afternoon, or is it evening on your clock?" Wilber asked. He laughed. "That's okay. You can interrupt me anytime for news like that."
Adrian turned and started for the conference room, motioning for us to follow. "Since we are all here, let’s start. I'm anxious to hear the solution."
When everyone had settled down, I explained how Decker's message was the key to decoding Mcrae's. "From Wheeler’s messages, it appears the drop-off location for Alliance contraband going to the mystery empire remains the same for the entire year. This year it's the Safe Harbor system. The pickup locations are changed every six months. This period it was forty-two days ago on Oxax, which was probably the contraband we found."
"I think it's safe to assume if we collect the messages from the other five merchants, the system will be roughly the same, including the encryptions," Adrian said.
Kris nodded. "It sure would be nice to catch one of the foreign ships picking up or dropping off contraband."
"I think Anna breaking the code means your kids are going to have graduated the academy before we are dismantled." Wilber grinned.
"I still need to find a father for those kids before I worry about it, and this project is making that rather difficult."
Everyone laughed, and the camaraderie felt good. The incident with the intruders had depressed me and remained a concern, but my life was good. I had a loving mother, friends, and interesting work. I just needed to take reasonable precautions for my sake and for the people close to me.
"Good work, Anna. I'll let Stauffer know what we've found and see what he wants to do with it. Any suggestions before I go?"
Everyone looked around at each other without speaking.
"They could assign one or more of us to a naval cruiser patrolling a sector. With NIA clearance, we could strip the WavComs looking for messages to our identified merchants and identify areas to stake out," I said into the silence.
"There are lots of single officers on a cruiser," Wilber said, trying to look serious.
Kris raised an eyebrow. "What if I don't want a naval officer?"
"Then I guess it's going to take longer to get
those kids out of college." Wilber snorted.
"I'll suggest it. I wouldn't mind a tour on a cruiser. It’d look good on my service record." Adrian stood, grinning, and headed toward Stauffer's office.
"Definitely admiral material," Kris said, and received a nod from Wilber. "How are you doing, Anna? That incident the other day must have been scary, especially after the other one where you and your mother were almost killed."
I nodded. "Yes, that was the worst part—the flashback. Mother ..." I went on to explain what happened and the panic room.
"You've got a smart mother. Better to avoid a fight if you can. Imagine the frustration—ten gunmen storm a house planning an easy find, kill, and snatch of the prize, and they can't find anyone or anything." Wilber looked far off as if seeing it unfold.
"Funny afterward," Kris said, mirroring my thoughts. Adrian returned shortly afterward.
"Stauffer is going to run it by Admiral Rawls. While we await a decision, I'll put in a request for the messages to and from the other five merchants. Until then we are free."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Chasing Smugglers
Two days later, we were called into Stauffer's office and handed chips for our CPC units.
"I've passed on your discovery and the decoded messages to Admiral Rawls, who has been in communication with Admirals Webb and Lulltrel. They liked your suggestion and have decided to equip three cruisers with special NIA communications equipment capable of searching the WavComs and stripping them of any messages selected. In fact, the equipment is capable of editing the messages. That bit of information is classified somewhere far beyond Top Secret and could get you a special cell of your own somewhere unknown for the rest of your life. An NIA special agent will be here tomorrow to qualify you on the equipment." He stopped to take a drink and looked around for questions.
My heart sank—three cruisers. I had never expected to fly on a cruiser because of my condition, but the time I had spent on the Minerva had been magical, and I had hoped I'd get another chance if they liked my suggestion. I reached in and stroked Red, who didn't seem interested at the moment.
Stauffer's voice jolted me back to the present.
"Within a few days, Admiral Webb will select the three cruisers, which will be directed to Oxax to have the equipment installed and collect you. At that time, Admiral Rawls will meet with you and the three captains to explain their mission and your responsibility. As far as most will be concerned, you are communications officers assigned to the Bridge." Stauffer felt amused and I couldn't blame him, the looks of surprise, apprehension, and delight flashed across their faces. Like me, they never expected to be assigned to a cruiser, much less as crew on the Bridge, but also realized they weren't prepared for Bridge duty, so their emotions varied and changed as they considered the ramifications of this assignment. I probably looked like I felt—dejected—although I tried not to show it. I understood the multiple problems with my situation.
"Until then, you are free to have fun, because there is no telling how long you might be gone. Just make sure Adrian knows how to get hold of you. Anna and Kris, would you stay? I'd like to talk with you," Stauffer said, ending the formal meeting.
I didn't know why he asked Kris to stay, as he was probably going to give me the many reasons I couldn't go and give me another assignment to keep me busy. Welcome to the adult world, where your employer decides on the work they want you to do, I chided myself. I had no reason to complain—I had work I enjoyed, good pay, and a supportive employer.
"First, Miss Paulus, you have been promoted to O-2 in recognition of your contribution to the team. Adrian, Wilbur, and Kris unanimously consider you an equal member of the team with no reservations," he said, handing me a sheet of paper which informed me that the promotion was effective as of today. "Your name has been discussed for two days amid all the reasons we want you to be on one of those three cruisers and all the reasons you can't: your young age, civilian status, no animals on cruisers, and your red-headed krait. Admirals Webb, Lulltrel, and Rawls have been involved because of the issues and the importance of this assignment." He looked tired. Now comes the ‘I'm sorry but …’ part, I mused. "They came up with a proposal for you."
I straightened in my chair and mentally screamed Yes without knowing or caring about the terms of the proposal.
"First, Kris must accompany you—"
"I'd like that," I said, interrupting him. I felt my cheeks burning. "Sorry, sir."
"Next, you will be placed on temporary active duty with the rank of lieutenant, your civilian equivalent." He actually smiled, probably at my dumbfounded expression as I tried to comprehend what he was saying. "Admiral Webb approved it after he learned you had graduated from the academy, so except for your age at the time, you would have qualified to join as an officer. The promotion to full lieutenant was mostly because of your contribution and partially to eliminate the tendency to discount a second lieutenant as having no experience. And Kris is to make sure everyone understands you're a fully qualified NIA agent with full authority."
"Can I have a couple of hours before I give you my decision? I know I don't need my mother's permission, and she's going to tell me it's my decision, but she's been my mentor, and I'd like to hear her advice."
"I can't think of a better mentor than retired Captain Bellona. For now I'm going to assume the answer will be affirmative and ask Lieutenant Sinclair to help you prepare for the assignment." He stood, signaling an end to the meeting.
"Thank you, Kris, for agreeing. I'll try to act appropriately at all times and not embarrass you," I said as we walked back to our office area.
"I'm not worried about that. I look forward to having you along. Secretly, I'm hoping it’s us that catch the bad guys—girls against the boys. I'll give you tonight with Alexa and we'll start tomorrow at first light. You'll need uniforms, and I doubt they have your size in stock, so you will need to get them tailored." She laughed. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces. You're not only young, but you look as young as you are. Also, I think we need to go over the basic military conventions, and then ... maybe I should also talk to Alexa. She's been there. I haven't."
I left Kris and hurried to get home, hoping Alexa would be early tonight. At home, I paced the floor trying to decide how to broach the subject. I wanted her input, but I was screaming to say yes regardless of the consequences. It would be devastating to refuse, but I would never intentionally upset my mother. My life would be nothing without her.
When I heard the car pull up, I jumped up and met her at the door. She shook her head.
"Before we discuss this, I need a drink. Come." She shed her robe and jacket and made for the kitchen, where she poured a glass of wine and carried it into the living room, with me following and wondering how she knew. "Now, love of my life, what is your news?"
"I thought you knew? It sounded like you did," I said, feeling very confused.
"What I know is I've exchanged messages with Admiral Webb, the secretary of the Navy, on the topic of my daughter. I served under him when he was commodore Webb and I a commander and again later as a captain. He didn't tell me why he was asking about you."
"They are designating three cruisers to patrol the specific systems for the foreign ships that are smuggling contraband into the Alliance based on the information I ... we discovered. We think we can identify the areas were they will be, based on previous correspondence we've managed to decode. Each ship will have an NIA agent monitoring the identified merchants’ messages and predicting where to look."
"Go on."
"They will give me a temporary commission to Lieutenant and Kris ... Lieutenant Sinclair will accompany me ... if I accept. I told them I needed to talk to you first." I had hoped to know her true feelings through my ability to feel people's emotions, but her emotions were too complex to interpret.
"My dear child, it must have taken all your considerable control to wait to talk to me—"
"You're my mother, my mentor, and I
'd never do anything to upset you. Nothing would be worth that."
"You're the best decision I've made in my lifetime. My instinct is to protect you and keep you safe, but it would be wrong for me to keep you in a box on a shelf for my own pleasure. It would destroy you. I'll tell you this: without Kris going along with you, I would have serious reservations. A teenage girl among senior officers wouldn’t work for many reasons. But it's a wonderful opportunity for you to make a name for yourself and most likely a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience life on a cruiser. I would like Kris, you, and me to have a talk before you leave."
"Great, Kris says she'd like to talk to you, that you’ve been there and she hasn't." We talked into the early hours of the evening, with Alexa recounting tales of her life on various cruisers.
* * *
Kris spent the next several days helping me get the uniforms I needed and drilling me on basic military conventions. At Alexa's suggestion, Kris moved in with us temporarily. Alexa took the week off. That gave her extra time with her daughter, who she wouldn't see for an extended period. And the interaction with a retired captain benefited Kris and me and was like an ongoing pajama party, at least by what I had read and imagined.
On the third day, we were notified that the cruisers Romulus, Scylla, and Tityus had been selected and would arrive within the next three days, and a meeting of the captains and the team would occur on the following day. I think each of us was sad to learn our vacation would soon end. Kris and Alexa had liked each other from the first day, and it had been like a family get-together.
Not sure when the meeting with the captains would take place, we arrived a few minutes before eight. Adrian was already there as usual.
"Wow. Congratulations, Lieutenant Paulus. You look smashing. Let me give you a bit of advice though. Never let anyone forget you are an NIA agent and part of the team that has led the navy to the current mission, and that Admiral Webb approved your assignment. You have nothing to prove to anyone."