"I hear a 'but' coming," Kage said.
"But," Jason continued, "that job was a little more risky than he originally let on, so we're going to have to keep that in mind when he pitches this next one to us. We squeaked it out, but we almost ended up on the business end of a destroyer's main guns."
"So we have no idea what this job is?" Twingo asked.
"No," Doc said. "All he would tell us was that it wasn't 'strictly legal', but no specifics. From what I could tell, he wasn't all that comfortable talking at all in the surroundings we were in. Lots of ears in that room last night."
"I concur, Doc," Lucky spoke up. "He seemed to want to say more, but stopped himself short each time."
"Let's also get something else out of the way while we're all here," Jason said. "I know you all had a good time last night, or at least started out to, and it got a little out of hand. Does anybody have any grievances to air before we press on? Once we leave this room, it's buried and done with." Nobody spoke and Jason was met with three very sheepish looks that threatened to break into spontaneous laughter at any moment. "Alright then, let's finish eating and get cleaned up. I want us packed and waiting for Crisstof's call within the hour." They all began to eat with more of a purpose and made their way to their respective rooms to get cleaned up and changed. Jason had no intention of staying on Eshquaria another night; either they would be flying out on another job, or they would just be flying out.
Chapter 4
The call came three hours later to tell them that there was a vehicle waiting in front of the building. Jason marshaled his crew out the door, the room looking as they had found it... minus one chair. They walked out into the bright Eshquarian sunlight and towards a long, black ground vehicle. Apparently government vehicles are the same the galaxy over. They all piled in and were soon off. Jason was glad to leave the suite behind before someone presented them with a bill for the damages.
The vehicle drove past all of the shining government buildings, past the more mundane looking service buildings, and even past the squat, ugly utility buildings. They pulled up to a pre-fabbed style building that looked like it might be used for vehicle maintenance or storage and pulled inside through one of the large roll-up doors. Just when Jason was about to ask what they were waiting for, the floor in the stall began to lower, taking the vehicle with it. The elevator took them down at least a couple hundred feet to a large, well-lit chamber that was filled with large, well-armed security personnel.
Omega Force submitted to another litany of scans and questions before being allowed to proceed on towards a large set of blast doors. Once inside, they were directed to board a waiting open-air car that appeared to be on a mag-lev track. The car whisked them away through a tunnel until they arrived in another large chamber that was also teeming with armed security personnel. The crew disembarked and were led into a small but well-appointed conference room. Jason shrugged and gestured for everyone to grab a seat and wait for whatever was about to happen. As usual, Lucky declined and remained on high alert.
"Welcome to our off-site meeting location, gentlemen." The voice came from behind them. As they turned, they saw Prime Minister Colleston walking in trailed by Crisstof and a half dozen security personnel. "I trust the trip wasn't too taxing?"
"Not at all, Mr. Prime Minister," Jason said respectfully. "Your men have been nothing but professional. I am curious about the cloak and dagger routine, though." The Prime Minister paused while his translator implant tried to chew its way through the term "cloak and dagger.” As it did, he smiled faintly.
"You can never be too careful, Captain," he replied. "While the citizens would never know it, these are perilous times for Eshquaria, as you’re about to find out. For security reasons, there are some things that I must omit, or be intentionally vague about, but I will try to answer all your questions to the best of my ability.”
Over the next hour and a half, the Prime Minister, and mostly his advisors, briefed the crew on the current state of affairs in their system. Eshquaria and her surrounding worlds maintained their sovereignty even as their neighboring systems submitted to more and more ConFed oversight, trading off internal control for the security the ConFed fleet offered. Eshquaria was unique in one way: its main export was some of the most advanced weaponry in the quadrant. Eshquarian warships were immensely powerful and, due to the money coming in from exporting, plentiful. The end result was that they were able to handle their own security needs, and as the chief exporter to the ConFed government of capital ship weaponry, they were largely left to their own devices.
Being somewhat isolated politically, Eshquaria also maintained robust trade treaties with a host of other systems to keep a steady flow of critical infrastructure and other supplies coming in. Corran had been one of these systems. When its sister planet, Kellan, had inexplicably initiated hostilities towards the planet, a major ally and food supplier had been lost to Eshquaria. The Eshquarian intelligence services suspected another player must have been involved, but was so far unable to prove it. The fact that the ConFed council had refused to intervene in a timely fashion was also suspicious, but didn't necessarily prove anything.
After the elimination of the Corran-Eshquaria trading route, another threat had popped up. Pirates and raiders had been harrying freighters up and down the shipping lane that moved raw materials from the Concordian Cluster to the Eshquarian System. There was no pattern or apparent logic behind the attacks, and recently they had moved into hitting passenger ships. This latest development had grabbed the public's attention and had prompted them to start pressuring their government representatives to do something about the attacks. This, in turn, put enormous pressure on Prime Minister Colleston's administration to do something, anything, to put a stop to it.
"So, that's where we are currently," Crisstof was saying. "All efforts to find a base of operations or leadership for these raiders has been ultimately unsuccessful. The ConFed council refuses to step in: their stance is that since Eshquaria is so adamant about remaining independent, then it is their responsibility."
"They've also made it clear that the delivery schedule for weapons contracts is to be strictly adhered to," Colleston added. "Any slip in deliveries or milestones is grounds for withheld payment, something we can't afford given the loss of the Corran supply chain."
"The obvious answer is that some element within the ConFed government is behind these attacks, trying to destabilize Eshquaria to the point they won't be able to remain independent," Jason said.
"We thought so as well," Colleston confirmed. "But again, we've been able to confirm nothing. We also can't establish a motive for ConFed interference; with their aggressive ship building schedule, any delays by our weapons contractors will do nothing but harm them economically and politically."
"Are there any other interested parties that would benefit from hurting Eshquaria economically? Or is it possible that the attack on Corran and these raids are simply coincidences?" Doc asked.
"I'm sorry to say, we just don't know," Crisstof volunteered. "These raiders are not only better equipped than they have any right to be, but thus far have been able to give our intelligence operators the runaround. We know they're using some of the local criminal element, but there are also some fairly advanced ships that will pop up now and again using tactics that are more in line with military training than a ragtag group of smugglers and pirates."
"We don't know much, do we?" Jason asked to nobody in particular. "And now to the crux of this discussion: what do you want from us? Although I think I can already guess..."
"We need to know what the root cause of this rash of attacks is, Captain," Colleston said. "We know this isn't the natural ebb and flow of the normal, reckless attacks that happen up and down the space lanes from time to time. This is gaining momentum and it's becoming increasingly dangerous to ship passengers and goods. We want you and your crew to find out what is causing this sudden uptick. My own intelligence service has come up with nothing actionable,
so Crisstof has suggested we try a different approach and send in someone who isn't affiliated with the Eshquarian government, someone who would more naturally fit in with the criminal element."
"Send a group of mercenaries to catch a group of mercenaries, right?" Kage asked.
"I meant no offense, I realize that you're team is…unique... but you are technically guns for hire, are you not?" Colleston said.
"That we are. But we're not assassins," Jason answered. "We can try to find any leadership that may exist, if these attacks are even centrally coordinated, but we will not kill a politically inconvenient target for any amount of pay nor will we bombard any position where there may be civilians. Speaking of pay, what are we looking at for compensation on our end? This could end up being a very long job."
"Let us hope not," Crisstof said. "But the compensation would be a base rate of fifty-million credits, plus an additional ten-million for each ringleader you find and capture, or kill. Assuming there are leaders, of course." Twingo and Kage both made choking sounds at the sum of money being offered; it was more than triple what they made on the rescue mission to Corran. "The money will be funneled through me, the same as before," he continued. "It is important that your involvement not be traced back to the Prime Minister's office, or the Eshquarian government at all."
"Understood," Jason said, trying to keep his own excitement in check at the prospect of such a big payday. "How much time do we have to prepare?"
"You'll be taken back to your ship from here, after that we'd like you to launch out as soon as you can. Your intel package will be delivered to you there and Crisstof will coordinate any services you may need from us to prepare your ship," Prime Minister Colleston said as he stood up, indicating the meeting was over. "Good luck, gentlemen, and good hunting." He turned and left through the same door through which he had entered. Once he had left, the remaining security personnel ushered the crew, now including Crisstof Dalton, through the other exit and to the waiting rail car that would take them back to the government compound.
* * * * *
Jason and his crew sat at the bottom of the Phoenix's cargo ramp, bored to tears. It had been four hours since they had been dropped off and had yet to see any sign of their intel package or Crisstof. Twingo was leaning against the ramp and bouncing his foot, making odd clucking sounds with his mouth, completely oblivious to the increasingly hostile looks he was getting from his crewmates.
"Someone is approaching," Lucky said, the only one immune to being bored and annoyed.
"About fucking time," Jason muttered as he stood up. As expected, Crisstof entered the hanger with an officious looking little Eshquarian in tow that could only have been a government official.
"Gentlemen," Crisstof said loudly as he approached. "We're clear for uplift. The plan is that we head to a location with less prying eyes watching us and do all the preps and briefs you'll need to get started."
"So you're coming with us?" Doc asked.
"Indeed. I'm greatly looking forward to a ride in this ship," Crisstof said with a smile.
"So what's he for?" Jason asked, pointing to the smaller man without actually addressing him.
"I am from the Office of Internal Accountability and Audits," the man said by way of introduction.
"I'll bet that makes you popular," Twingo said with a laugh, already walking up the ramp to begin prepping the Phoenix for flight. Ignoring the engineer, the official pushed on.
"I'm here concerning some stolen furniture from a suite you and your crew were guests in recently. While we encourage guests to enjoy themselves, which is why we provide a fully stocked bar, we don't allow people to simply remove any items they may like." Once he had finished Jason simply stared at him. He can't be serious. He looked over at Crisstof, who only shrugged and smiled.
"Doc," he asked. "Did you steal any furniture?"
"No."
"Kage?"
"Hell no, that furniture sucked."
"I see. Since Lucky doesn't use furniture I guess that leaves only one possibility," Jason said. He then raised his voice, "Crusher! This guy says you stole some furniture... is that true?" A bellowing roar issued forth from the cargo bay and a seemingly irate Crusher came stomping down the ramp.
"Who accuses me of stealing?!" he roared as he reached the bottom. "You!! Was it you?" He pointed at the small government official, coming at him with malice in his eyes. Even in the enormous hanger the sound of his bellowing was uncomfortably loud and quite terrifying. The man was backpedalling as fast as he could.
"Would you like to settle up the account now?" Jason asked blandly as Crusher was still coming towards them.
"I... I... I think maybe there was a misunderstanding..." The man looked far beyond terrified as he then turned and actually sprinted from the hanger, fumbling with the door as he did. Crisstof looked like he wanted to follow, but stood his ground, although he did pale noticeably. As soon as the door to the hanger slammed shut Crusher stopped to stand by Jason. Both were silent a moment before Crusher snorted, then Jason let a giggle slip out, and soon both were laughing uncontrollably. This went on a moment more before Crisstof, who regained his composure, spoke up.
"I take it this isn't the first time you guys have pulled that little act," he said.
"Oh, no... it's one of our favorites," Jason said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Best way to not have to pay our bar tab."
"I almost couldn't walk that slow," Crusher said. "I thought maybe the little weasel was going to stand his ground." Crisstof simply shook his head in amusement.
"I'm technically your liaison while you're here, so I could have sent him away when his office contacted me. But I wanted to see how you'd handle something you couldn't shoot your way out of. I must say," he said with a chuckle, "you didn't disappoint. So what actually happened to the chair?"
"What chair?" Crusher and Jason said in unison. The high-pitched whine of the Phoenix going into her pre-engine start sequence cut off any more conversation within the hanger. Jason jogged over to the controls and started the main doors opening while the rest of the crew walked up the ramp and into the ship. What the hell? I'm the Captain and I have to run to go open the doors...
Walking onto the bridge, Jason was pleased to see everyone in their place and the ship about ready to get off the ground. Hopping into the pilot's seat he asked for an update, "Give it to me."
"Reactor is up, emitters are up, and all primary flight systems are coming up," Kage said as his four hands flew over his controls. "We're ready to roll out, Captain."
"Very good," Jason said as he nudged the jog control that managed ground taxiing back a tad. The Phoenix began to roll slowly backwards out of the hanger, powered by the inductive motors in the landing gear. It was a useful feature to be able to move the ship on the ground, or in a hanger, without having to have the engines up. Able to observe their progress on his holographic heads-up display in front of him, Jason kept the speed at a crawl; he'd be damned if he was going to ram the trailing edges of his wings into a building because he was too impatient to wait a few minutes.
The gunship backed out into the midday sun, gleaming dully in the bright light. Jason nudged the jog control to the left as the nose cleared the hanger, bringing the ship about to point out towards the taxiway. He maneuvered them over into a well-marked staging area and had Twingo begin a series of power-up tests on the main drive. The ship groaned as opposing gravimetric fields warped the air around it from the main drive running up and down at low power to check out the emitters and plasma conduits. Everything was green on his board, so Jason nodded to Doc to call for launch clearance. Operating out of established, heavily populated areas had its advantages, but one of the drawbacks was the barrage of procedures and permissions to do something as simple as taxi out to the launch area.
After an irritating amount of back and forth on the coms, they were finally granted clearance to depart and given a vector up to their first transfer orbit. Eshquaria was a planet with he
avy commerce traffic, so they didn't typically allow ships to just lift and fly out at any random vector they wanted. Instead, the controllers kept close watch and directed all ships up through a series of transfer orbits, much like a European roadway roundabout, that kept proper intervals between ships and minimized the chance of a collision or drive field overlap. Crisstof could have probably got them clearance to leave via one of the military launch windows, but being discreet was the name of the game for now.
Since the Phoenix was so small compared to the cargo freighters coming and going, they were bumped out rather quickly and given their final send off as Jason steered them onto a course that would lead them towards the edge of the system and pushed their velocity up. "Twenty minutes until our jump point," Jason said to their guest. "How about some coordinates."
"Of course," Crisstof said. "He walked over to Kage and handed him a small, handheld data pad that had a set of jump coordinates on the display. "It's only a seven hour flight. Our destination is a ship of mine that has a large enough hanger deck that we can do any modifications and refits to your fine vessel you deem necessary after your final briefing." Jason wanted to press him further, but decided he could wait another seven hours to find out what all the skulking about was for. After the short flight through real space to their jump point he hit the control to engage the slip-drive, meshing them out of the Eshquarian system.
Soldiers of Fortune Page 7