Titan Stand

by Max Jager

  "Melt this and cast the lump of metal into space."

  "With pleasure," he replied. The moment he left, Matt held out his hands.

  "I'm sorry Jezang, I had no idea what that thing was, I really didn't, please forgive me!"

  "I forgive you Matt, and I apologize, of course you didn't know. I must take that card as well, it probably won't work in readers anymore, but on the off chance it did, not only would every security organization be alerted, but eventually every droid in the galaxy be after you. The security forces would probably take you alive, the droids wouldn't."

  "Holy shit!" He exclaimed, what is that? Some war criminal's ID card." She nodded, I will take it to a place that is secure and can read it. You say it was on this dead body?"

  "Oh yes, nothing but a skeleton, it's clothes were all rotted and skudzy couldn't tell if it was male or female."

  "Well no matter," she replied, there's no hurry, we will find out. As for those coins, they are merely old Sibranthi coins, not really worth anything anymore, go ahead and keep them if you like. When you get a chance, I would like to see that book you found."

  "No problem Jezang," he said.

  She then moved closer to him,

  "These things are a reminder of a very bad time for droids. You as a human must find it hard to imagine that we droids could have nightmares and bad dreams but we can. In a way I suppose it makes us more sentient but it was a time…A time so terrible I dare say we would do literally anything to avoid returning to a time like that again." He placed his hand on her shoulder, and in a whisper like tone said,

  "I'm sorry Jezang, I'm so sorry."

  Chapter 79

  Titan Stand Chapter 79

  "We'll be arriving at the coordinates where the Malhazar gunship engaged the raider craft as well as the general location of the former Bline-Aichel," announced Brand. "Not only do we have to be on the alert for planetary debris but cloaked raider craft. I'm only returning there because we need to establish a starting point for our search." Everyone was sitting around the table as Brand and Rekton laid out the search plan.

  Rekton pointed to a couple star charts laying on the table,

  "We're assuming the gunship was damaged how seriously we don't know. Malvak, what have you come up with?"

  "My calculations come up with four possible landing or crash sites depending on your frame of mind. My calculations also factor in the possibility that the craft in question may have actually traveled farther than we think. I'm also including the possibility that survivors may have escaped the ship in life pods."

  "That's why we're going to start with a couple of rather large asteroids first," said Brand, who added.

  "Malvak, give us a rundown on the potential crash sites."

  "First up, we have Daltron 6, a small moon of the planet Aduwin which is a non-life sustaining planet. Daltron 6 however has a modicum of atmospheric pressure and small amounts of ice according to the survey taken in 4305. Then we have Ethis 4 a planet close enough to a small sun to afford life. No reports of this planet other than scanners revealed the potential for life. Then there is Khyne-Zok an abandoned mining planet which consists of a large domed structure along with an artificial life-support system. It could also be home to raiders or independent miners savaging the remains of Trinium ore. Up next is another abandoned mining planet. According to posted data, they used to mine Vulnite crystals there twenty yeans ago. There is also a mining station orbiting the planet however it's orbit may have deteriorated. No other reports exist updating this data. Finally we have Tumar-Ju, another planet close enough to a small star to support life. According to a survey taken over thirty yeans ago, it supported a very lush plant life. There is also a warning posted as well. Supposedly a transport crashed there some time back eight yeans after the initial survey. A rescue party apparently located the wreckage, however no trace was ever found of the crew. The data makes reference to another report however it is not included here."

  "Well it looks like we've got a lot of ground to cover," observed Brand. "Everybody remain sharp, there's a very good chance raiders could be hanging around out here as well."

  Everyone thought Daltron 6 was going to be the one. The long range scanners were picking up signs of wreckage however the wreckage was a false lead when no life signs were picked up.

  "I'm not picking up even minute traces of radiation," announced Malvak, "The engines on that craft have been cold for yeans."

  "Let's check it out anyway," said Brand. As they passed over the debris Rekton said,

  "That's an old Stareater LR8 if I'm not mistaken. They haven't made them for close to 40 yeans, I wonder how long it's been out here?" He went on to explain to Matt that Stareater's were developed by the Selantrian's as an exploratory craft that mining companies used to search for potential ore sites.

  "It's lonely work," he added, "survey teams can be gone for up to three yeans at a time." After leaving the moon they headed for Aduwin which turned up empty as well.

  "At one time there was talk," said Aesil "Of establishing a colony and repair station here, but gosh that was over eight yeans ago, guess the trading company gave up on the idea,"

  On the way to Ethis 4 Matt gave an impromptu class dealing with field stripping the AK 47 and 74, mainly for the benefit of Brand, Aesil, and Doak. Although he already had not only an AR, as well as his Benelli M4, but had also claimed a CZ75 along with an AK 74 from the captured weapons and ammo taken from the terrorist training camp. Brand also chose an AK74, while Rekton and Ifwol went with the 47's. At dinner, Matt and Brand compared the advantages and disadvantages of weapons firing bullets like the AK's versus laser and plaser weapons. Matt learned that gunpowder was simply never developed, in this universe. According to Rekton and Brand, weapons went from edged, straight to beam weapons, starting with "stunner's" on up to Geltron plaser rifles, and phatron pistols.

  "Unfortunately as you are already aware," said Brand, "Long range scanners can pick up these weapon's signature so security forces as well as raiders already know what it is you're carrying."

  "Well ever since Grak told me that, I figured I was ahead using my "old fashioned," guns," replied Matt.

  "Eventually that will change," said Brand, "But since these weapon's are only in our hands at the moment, we still have the edge." Suddenly Malvak announced,

  Unknown craft approaching it now appears to be five Jebbit type 70 attack craft."

  "Everybody stand by," called out Brand, "Shields up all hatches sealed, here we go!" No one needed to be told these were raiders, and since the weapons system was completely automatic there were no weapons stations to man. As Brand twisted and rolled Malvak called out the ship's status. So far the shields were holding although they could feel the hits from the raider's plasma cannons. It suddenly occurred to Matt all the scenes in sci-fi flicks he had seen depicting attacking spacecraft had now become very real and he was right in the middle of it.

  Since he and the others were buckled into the seats in the little passenger area just rear of the cockpit they could only watch the action on the scanner screen just above the now closed hatch to the flight deck. All they could hear was Malvak's running assessment of hits and damage. So far the shields were holding strong.

  Brand had earlier commented that he had recently upgraded his shields along with his aft plasma turrets, after hearing rumors that the raiders were upgrading their weaponry.

  "The upgrades cost damn near all we had!" then with a chuckle, he added,

  "We were down to eating protein cakes until I managed to get a decent paying contract, but let me tell you, things were pretty tight there for awhile." Right now Matt, like everyone else was hoping those expensive upgrades were worth it. The plasma blasts continued to hammer their shields however from Malvak's commentary, they were starting to get the upper hand. Brand was twisting and turning so fast that it was extremely difficult to see what was happening in space.

  Twice however, he caught direct hits on raider craft but unlike
the movies there was a very brief flash as the hapless vessel exploded and disappeared from the screen. One craft however didn't explode, but simply floated helpless in space.

  Malvak then announced all enemy craft destroyed, but that the damaged one was showing positive life signs. He also reported damage to their ship was minimal, but that their shields were close to shutting down.

  "I'm on it!" Called out Doak, who then pointed to Jezang,

  "I might need your assistance." Together, the two disappeared to the rear of the ship as Brand then announced over the comm,

  "I'm trying to raise the crew on that raider ship but so far no one's answering. It may be because they have no power for their communications. I'm going to attempt a boarding , using the auger. We'll close up to just behind the bridge area, I'll move up close then run out the auger which will punch a hole through the hull, everybody get ready."

  Since the raider craft wasn't that large, Brand, Aesil, and Rekton would be the only ones going over although everyone else would be able to follow the action through small cameras on the helmets Brand, Rekton, and Aesil wore. The helmets also acted as re-breathing devices allowing them to breath in an environment with non-functioning life support. As soon as Doak brought the ship up along side of the raider ship he activated the auger which extended out from their ship attaching itself to the hull of the raider ship. Loud grinding and screeching noises could be heard as the auger quickly breeched the raider's hull. As soon as Malvak announced the hull breeched, Brand and the other's scooted through the hatch leading through the extended auger into the other ship.

  "The life support is failing, very little oxygen left," came Brand's voice over the comm system.

  "It looks like the turret gunner and pilot are dead," added Rekton, but the co-pilot appears to be still alive, I'm getting him back to our ship." Then Brand exclaimed,

  "Make sure you download the ship's computer Aesil," said Brand. "All the log information should be in the data as well but double check the memory drive just to be sure."

  Matt watched as Rekton came through the hatch dragging the injured co-pilot, then hoisting the raider on his shoulder, headed for the cargo area. Brand and his wife weren't far behind him as he called to Malvak.

  "Retract the auger, and let's get out of here Malvak!" As soon as the extension separated from the raider ship and Brand was back in the pilot's seat he quickly moved away. Once they were far enough away, Brand blasted the raider ship to oblivion.

  The raider co-pilot had been badly injured from being thrown against a bulkhead, as well as the effects of little oxygen. Jezang, and Ifwol were trying to patch him up. However Matt was more interested in the data Aesil had recovered from the enemy ship.

  "Isn't all that data encrypted?" He asked. Aesil had placed a small device into an L shaped port in what she said was a data analyzer. She merely grinned at him, then called out to Malvak.

  "Malvak, code 2268KKX. The AI acknowledged her request then moments later, a mass of data began to appear on the screen. As she began to select what she wanted, Aesil said to Matt.

  "Oh this data is indeed very heavily encrypted however in our case that presents no problem." She than spoke to Brand over her comm mic.

  "Brand! Apparently these ships originally came from Bline-Aichel, and were on patrol when the planet was destroyed. From what I'm reading here, they, and a number of other renegades then headed for Keltrin-7, and have set up a temporary base at the old mining station there. I'm also looking at the communications log which is talking about a heavily damaged Malhazar gun ship, however they are only just alerting everybody to be on the look out for it.

  Hold on, just a moment. I'm also seeing an alert for an XLX Starsoul recon ship as well. I'm assuming that's Orlak's ship."

  "Anything solid on it?" Replied Brand.

  "No, the record only states that the ship in question was seen with the Malhazar craft but that's all there is on that."

  Rekton's voice than came over the com,

  "Orlak and I figured they had our number, but maybe we got lucky and they didn't have time to get a clear identification on us. We got out of there pretty fast, and the explosion of Bline-Aichel fouled up communications signals for a little while." Later, at meal time Ifwol announced that the raider was stabilized and resting but still unconscious.

  "Well the fact that the raiders are now occupying the old mining station on Keltrin-7 has me troubled. There's a real good chance the raiders may have captured that Malhazar ship and may be holding whatever is left of the crew there. There's also no telling at this point how many raiders might be there.

  This is also going to make things extremely difficult as far as checking out Tumar-Ju as well."

  "So what kind of planet is this Tumar-Ju?" Asked Matt. Brand continued to eat merely stopping long enough to call to the computer.

  "Well Malvak, what say you?"

  "The last survey was taken twenty yeans ago, it states that eighty per cent of the planet's surface is heavy jungle with the other twenty per cent water, mostly consisting of rivers and medium sized bodies of water." Brand shook his head,

  "Well that's real sweet, it means we are going to have to spend a lot of time scanning the planet looking for a crash site. Normally the long range scanners would be able to detect any traces of a crashed ship, but that jungle canopy will make it extremely difficult to locate. Then if any survivors have moved into the jungle…Well I don't even want to think about that."

  The debate continued as to what to do. Try and approach Keltrin-7 and risk attack, or swing wide and come into Tumar-Ju and hope the Malhazar ship had crashed there.

  "If we can't locate it there," observed Brand, it's a pretty safe bet the raiders have them at the mining station. If that's the case it's going to take a good bit of diplomacy to free them…If they aren't already dead, although knowing raiders as I do, my guess is that they would hold them for some sort of ransom." About that time Ifwol's voice came over the intercom,

  "Brand! The prisoner is awake if you want to talk to him."

  "Well let's go see what he has to say," said Brand, "Maybe we can figure out something based on whatever he has to say." The prisoner was being held in the last cell so only Jezang, Brand and Ifwol went in. Matt, along with Rekton and Aesil watched from outside.

  The raider co-pilot was now conscious and glaring at his captors,

  "Brand Ti'Korvo, I might have known, what are you doing out this way…Slumming for bounties? Well stick around you'll get more than you bargained for." Brand ignored him, instead asking his name.

  "Vassik Conjac, for what it's worth."

  "Look conjac," growled Brand, "Let's get down to cases, we know you and your friends are hanging out at the old mining station over Keltrin-7, who's in charge there?" Vassik tried to laugh but only ended up coughing.

  "Get "melked," I won't tell you a thing!" Brand bent closer and gave him a wicked smile,

  "I'm only after some information Conjac. Now, I can take you back to Golia where you will be looking at prison, or I can drop you off at Keltrin-7 in exchange for a meeting with whoever is running that place. No tricks, just a chance to talk." The raider eyed him suspiciously, then replied.

  "They won't let you get anywhere near Keltrin, the best I can do is give you a frequency to call, but you'd better make sure they see me all in one piece."

  "Deal!" Exclaimed Brand, "I just want to talk, I've got some information you people might not be aware of yet." Cinjac studied him along with Jezang and Rekton then replied.

  "I see you aren't real particular who you take on as crew," indicating Jezang who immediately scowled at him.

  "Keep that "plegan" Tharg away from me or our agreement is off."

  "Relax," growled Jezang, "I won't bother you." Cinjac continued to glare at her forcing Jezang to leave the room. After she left he looked at Brand

  "Here's the frequency…"

  Chapter 80

  Titan Stand Chapter 80

  Once Brand had the
raider frequency, he proceeded to contact the old mining station, almost immediately the figure of what appeared to be a Vel'Takz.

  "Brand Ti'Korvo! What are you doing out here…Got a death wish or something?"

  "Well if it isn't Alejac Slyr, I was wondering what had become of you."

  "Well as you can see, I'm doing as I please. Now…Once again, what are you doing in these parts?"

  "Well for starters," replied Brand, I've one of your people who we have patched up, and wish to return."

  "Do you now, and what might be his name?"

  ""Vassik Conjac," replied Brand. Matt noticed the raider leader ever so slightly look to his right before responding.