The Sculpted Ship

by K. M. O'Brien

  “I should be able to reach the Tana from here.” The major pointed at the end of the vault closer to the main base. “Those are lines from the base. see if any of them are live, and try to hook in. I need to know how long we have until the crates arrive.” Not waiting for him to start, she immediately turned to the other end, pulled out her kit, and started checking lines. Taizu turned to his end of the vault and started doing the same thing there. His kit was set up to work with plugs, bare lines, or in some cases, reading data off a tapped line, so he had no trouble here. He had only tried a couple lines when he found one that was live and connected to the base network. Creating an access to this network was becoming familiar. He then got into the supply system and checked the ETA of the bot. The bot pulling the crates wasn't fast, but it was entering the annex and headed for the Tana. “You've got three minutes.”

  “Close, but it should be good enough. I'm connected.”

  For three minutes, there was silence in the vault. The major had handed a wire to Taizu, to link his kit to hers so he could pass the delivery data over as it happened.

  Finally, the major broke the silence. “Aaand that's it. We're golden.” Taizu knew that meant their critical part of the work was done: the major had deleted the empty crate delivery data as it came in from the base supply system over the radio. Since there was also the target decoy delivery with the same sequence ID, there was no hole in the data to be flagged.

  Taizu released the empty crates he'd been holding at the warehouse. The system immediately began sending automatic orders to parcel them out to the rest of the base, so they would be more efficiently positioned for future requests. Then he went to work cleaning up any sign that he'd been in any part of the base network and systems.

  Purser's Mate Puzo and Lance Corporal Smee of the Stoneforge arrived at the Starboard #3 loading bay of the Empress Tana. Puzo was an easygoing, muscular man with a beer gut, and Smee was short and wiry, with a mean face. They were flying one of the Stoneforge's long, low-bed cargo trucks, loaded with a number of small crates. They landed at the bottom of the ramp. Coming down the ramp to meet them was Chief Purser Semmett of the Tana, a tall, muscular man with craggy good looks.

  “Yo, Semmett!” Puzo, in the passenger's seat, stuck his hand out the window to clap into Semmett's with a hearty handshake. “You're looking as badass as ever.”

  “Thanks, man, it's good to see you again. How you been doing?”

  Puzo shrugged his thick shoulders. “It's cool. I'll be glad to get home. We get one stop in the Empire before we go all the way home and we're stuck on our ships, out here in the middle of nowhere. 'Course, even if they'd let us out, there's not even a liberty town outside the gates, so we ain't missin' much.”

  Semmett barked a laugh. “At least you're leaving. I don't know why they decided to base us all way out in Shitfield Nowhere instead of at the main starport. No doubt they've got enough space and the repair facilities over there, but I guess that's why I don't make the big bucks.”

  “You and me both, brother. Hey, I hate to hurry you, but I'm on a requisition mission. I got the good word that bastard Pamatta is about to pull a surprise departure drill tonight, pop us up to synchro, and run more drills all night until the boss gets back from that officer shindig. I ain't gonna be late for lift when I just about got these people convinced I'm worth keeping as Chief Purser.”

  He laughed. “Well, I might be able to help you. What do you need and what do you got?”

  “What I need is target decoys. Our home fleet rates us down if we haven't seen combat, but we return with low stocks of decoys. 'Course we need them for gunnery drills, but some vac-head is convinced that because you can use them in combat, they're a wartime munition. You can guess what most captains do. They save the decoys and just pencil whip the gunnery drills, but no, our captain won't do that. They got plenty here on base, but since we're heading back to the Core, they won't authorize our request. So, if I don't find some fucking target decoys, the captain will look bad and then shit will roll downhill on to me. What I got to trade, though, is the good stuff: same quality as First Grade Artullian Prime.”

  Semmett's eyes widened and he looked at the small crates in the back of the truck.

  “Damn, man, you got that Outworld stuff? I hear it's almost as good as the real thing.”

  “Same as, man, same as. Plants from Artullia, in the same growing conditions and with the same processing. Only difference is price.” The unspoken difference was the Imperial monopoly Artullia had on coffee made from Prime plants, so importing it was illegal.

  “Well, come on up, boys, and maybe bring some of that stuff up, so I can try it while we figure out what the trade's worth.”

  Puzo nodded. Both men got out of the truck. Puzo was a heavyset, muscular man, while Smee was short and wiry. Puzo easily lifted one of the small crates, putting it on his shoulder. The three men walked up the ramp into the ship. As they reached the top of the ramp, Puzo and Smee's comms started beeping loudly. A couple seconds later, a loud whooping came across the darkness from the main base.

  Puzo slammed his crate down on the deck and looked across the darkness toward the Stoneforge in the distance. “That cock. He could have waited five more minutes. No time for politeness, we gotta deal now. What do you got handy?”

  Semmett nodded and checked his comm. “Shit, all my decoys are stowed in Port #1 – wait, I got some here. Those crates on the dock are decoys. They just got here.”

  “We'll take em. Three crates of Artullian?”

  “Real coincidence we got those decoys in just before you guys got here. It'll be one for one – six crates, and I guess you're running out of time. Plus, I gotta convince Master Guns to run some extra gunnery drills to 'expend' these decoys when we go up tomorrow.” He glanced over toward the main base and the Stoneforge.

  Puzo gave a tight smile and nodded. “It's a deal. Smee, let's unload the rest of the crates.”

  Puzo followed Smee down the ramp. They swiftly unloaded the rest of the small crates. As Smee unloaded the last one, Puzo waved at Semmett and got back in the truck.

  With Smee riding in the back of the truck, Puzo drove out to the end of the chain of six containers, while Smee pulled a cargo winch from the front of the bed to the back. Before Puzo had even set down the truck, Smee had already hooked the grabber to the first crate in the chain. He shouted, “Go!” and waved for Puzo to start backing. Puzo immediately reversed the truck while retracting the winch at the same speed.. Smee raced down the line of crates, tapping their controls to simultaneous activating their lifters and link them to the crates before and after them. The truck backed under the last crate just after he'd activated its lifters.

  Again, Smee shouted, “Go, go, go!” while waving Puzo forward, who immediately responded by taking the truck up and forward. At first, he went straight, while Smee came back up the line of crates, shutting down their lifters, letting them gently drop to the bed. Smee stepped from the bed around to the side of the cab, opened the passenger door, and slid in. As he did, Puzo lifted the truck into the air, arcing it directly toward the distant Stoneforge and pouring on the throttle to get back aboard before takeoff.

  If they didn't get there in time, it wouldn't matter that they were on a special mission for the captain – Commander Pamatta didn't delay the ship during a departure drill.

  In the darkness below them, Taizu dropped the manhole cover into place and stood up just in time to look up and see the float truck speed by, just fifty meters away. The major was already opening the driver's door of the truck. He sprinted over to the passenger door and got in.

  He was a little surprised when the major smoothly pulled out on to the road and started driving toward the main base. He had expected her to haul ass, like the Stoneforge's truck had been doing as it passed overhead.

  He looked at her in panic. She glanced over, then took a full look and started smiling. She looked back at the road ahead. “Don't worry, we might still make it. Remember,
we don't have a good excuse to go blazing back to the ship. We can't have this truck associated at all with our ship. I mean, I don't plan on taking the scenic route, but I'm going to follow the plan and drive this truck so we don't attract attention. We go back to the ramp where we borrowed it, and then we'll get out and haul ass for the ship, OK?”

  Taizu nodded, still nervous.

  “Hey, don't worry so much. We did our part, right? Even if we don't make it for lift tonight, I'm pretty sure the captain won't leave for the Core without us.”

  He laughed a little. “I'll try.”

  They arrived at the ramp, and got out of the truck, leaving it (hopefully) the way they'd found it. They had just started to run for the ship when they saw it gracefully lift away from the ground.

  The major stopped immediately, but Taizu went a few more steps before he came to a halt.

  “Alright, then. We made a valiant attempt to reach her, but we failed. First, I'll call the ship.” She brought out her comm and placed the call. “This is Major Kolos. I'm still ashore at Anchor Base. I have Private Ondrasek.” She listened to the reply. “Roger that. See you all tomorrow.”

  She turned to Taizu, who was watching the Stoneforge as it disappeared in the night sky above them. “It's gone, let's go.” They started walking toward the edge of the ramp. “We're going to stay the night in the TQ here. We'll go up in a shuttle tomorrow. They said we're the only ones left behind, which means we completed our mission. That means...” She put out her hand. As he shook it, wondering, she said, “...you passed. Welcome to Team Alpha. You'll meet the rest of the team when we get back aboard.”

  As they kept walking, she explained further. “Until now, you've been on probation. You've met or worked with everyone on the team, even though you didn't know it. The captain has other people working for her, but we're her best. The first thing you need to learn, Taizu, is that within our team, rank is irrelevant. When we're in private, we are on a first name basis. I'm Senja. Say it: who am I?”

  “Um, you're S...Senja.”

  She laughed. “Don't worry, Taizu, you'll get used to it. Just remember that in public, I'm still Major Kolos. I'm not your boss anymore, either. Gul – Commander Pamatta – is the head of Team Alpha, and he's your boss now.”

  He nodded. A crazy thought popped into his mind. Did that mean he might actually have a shot with her? It was probably safest to wait and see. He liked the way she said his name. He liked saying her name.

  “I still have a few things to teach you, but soon, I'll expect you to have some new tricks to show me, too. My job is gathering intel for the Captain. Cracking is just one part of that, and that's your primary job.”

  They were getting close to the edge of the landing field, where buildings and hangars were clustered. The major had her comm out again. “I'll get us a ride to the TQ.”

  Just a few minutes later, they were getting dropped off at the TQ office. It didn't appear to be very busy. The only person inside was the bored civilian clerk behind the counter. As they came in, he stood up. “May I help you, Major?”

  “Yes, I need quarters for tonight, for myself and Private Ondrasek, here.”

  “Of course, sir. I have room 105 for you in the officer's quarters, and Private Ondrasek has room 1522 in the junior enlisted quarters. I'll just need your ID's and payment.”

  They both got out their ID's, but the major paid for both rooms.

  Then she went on, “We will also need one uniform apiece. I presume you have a laundry?”

  “Of course! We're fully equipped for all standard uniform materials and patterns. Do you have your sizing info?”

  They each sent the pertinent data from their comms to his console.

  “Thank you – and which uniforms did you want?”

  “Just one shipsuit for each of us. Put them on my bill, as well.”

  The clerk nodded and placed the order. “As I expected, the queue is empty. Your uniforms will be done in five minutes.”

  “Very good.” She turned to Taizu. “Private, bring me my uniform when it's finished.”

  “Yes, ma'am.”

  When Major Kolos had left, the clerk sat down and continued watching a video.

  For the next four and a half minutes, Taizu pondered. Is this the right time to try and talk to the major – er, Senja?

  He still hadn't decided by the time the uniforms were ready.

  When he arrived at the major's room, he was still unsure. He knocked.

  The major answered the door. “Very good, Private.” She took her uniform from him. “Was there anything else?”

  “Major, would you mind if we talked for a few minutes?”

  She smiled. “Please, come in.”

  She closed the door behind him.

  Chapter 47: The End of the Beginning

  After breakfast, the officers and staff began making their way back to their ships, either at the base, or in orbit.

  Annalise's ship, the Stoneforge, had lifted the night before. She explained that since her crew had not expected to lift until she returned, her first officer had decided it was a perfect time for an emergency departure drill. As soon as Annalise was aboard, they would be departing for the Core.

  As they stood on the Queen's ramp, the assault shuttle from the Stoneforge landed. Annalise invited Anailu to come aboard for a quick tour. “I've got to go, but if you've never been inside an assault shuttle, you will find it interesting. Oh, and bring your shabti along, too.”

  First, they walked around the outside, with Annalise pointing out parts such as the weapons, the sensors, and the engines. Anailu noticed the armored shutters were closed over the viewports of the bridge. Annalise commented, “No doubt they're conducting IFR training. I want my pilots comfortable flying entirely on instruments. In a battle, seeing the pretty lights outside is nice, but having armor is better.”

  They went aboard into the cargo bay, where Anailu noticed several crates, and through it to the bridge. When they were in the bridge, the tour abruptly ended when Annalise sealed the bridge door behind them. She commanded the copilot to “Report.”

  The man in the copilot's seat glanced at Anailu and then looked back to Captain Nertari. “Mission complete, all backtraces safely grounded away from us. No casualties.”

  “Very good, Commander. Did I win my bet?”

  “Sorry, Captain, I'm afraid you lost your bet.” He sounded sad, but he had a twinkle in his eye as he said it.

  “Thank you, Commander.” Annalise turned to Anailu. “Anailu, the commander will identify some crates to you. Your shabti will take those crates and remove them to your ship. You and I will walk to the bottom of the ramp, where we'll shake hands and take our leave of each other. These crates contain one case of wine each as the agreed payment for a bet which, if you will trust my executive officer, I lost. Shall we go?”

  With that, they left the bridge of the shuttle. Everything went as Annalise had described. The commander pointed out two crates to Anailu, who asked Diamond and Velvet to take them back to the Silver Queen. As they left with the crates, Anailu then turned back to Captain Nertari. They shook hands.

  Anailu said, “Perhaps our next wager will go your way, Captain Nertari.”

  “Perhaps.” She smiled. “And perhaps next time, I'll see you out among the stars, Captain Xindar.”

  Epilogue

  (At the Project Anchor Starport)

  Private Ondrasek and Major Kolos were waiting beside the small craft pad while the Stoneforge's shuttle came in for a landing. When the aft hatch dropped open to become a ramp, they saw Captain Nertari standing inside the shuttle with her arms crossed. The major and the private hustled up the ramp and came to attention before their captain. The major saluted, saying, “Major Kolos and Private Ondrasek reporting, ma'am.”

  The captain returned the salute. “Sit.” She pointed to the jumpseats on the port side of the shuttle.

  The major said, “Yes, ma'am.” She and the private took their seats.

&nbs
p; The captain closed the aft hatch, then walked over to stand in front of them. She smiled down at them. “So, which of you two came up with the idea of missing the launch?”

  Taizu was confused. It had been an accident! Surely, Senja would say something? He glanced over at her, then gaped in surprise. Senja was blushing and smiling.

  (On Tibica, Moon of Doran)

  The Silver Queen was resting on her landing legs at the foot of a rocky gray mountain, with the lounge window facing a beautiful view of the desolate slopes and the rest of the craggy range marching off into the distance. These mountains were on Tibica, the airless moon of Doran, and they had never known precipitation.

  Everyone aboard was in the lounge, sitting around the dinner table, laughing and talking. They were all here to celebrate the Silver Queen's fully operational main drives and hyperdrive. When Anailu stood, her guests all grew silent.

  “This year on Doran has been the most amazing one of my life, filled with work, friends, and more than my share of luck. I've done things I never thought I was capable of. I've done things I never thought I would have to do. The way I made it through, the way my dream became reality, has been through the help of all the friends I've met here. So, here's to my friends.”

  Anailu raised her glass, and everyone followed suit.

  “Here's to Orym Facusa, who gave me a better deal than I could have hoped for, and perhaps better than he ought to have.”

  Orym smiled. “If I hadn't, she'd just be guarding our front gate. I'm glad she's finally up where she belongs.”

  “Here's to Vargit Vindum, who gave me the best advice of all – to be open to friendship.”

  Vargit, sitting with his wife, simply winked at Anailu with a twinkle in his eye.