by Ryk Brown
Mister Vout’s words were as much a challenge as they were a question.
Nathan stared at him with a confident expression, one that offered only the slightest hint of a smile. “I am certain of it,” he replied before departing.
* * *
Deliza Ta’Akar entered hangar four of Ranni’s research and development facility on Rakuen. “Sorry for the delay, everyone,” she announced as she approached the group of technicians gathered around a Gunyoki fighter. “As you can see, this team is being retasked,” she continued, picking up one of the Nighthawk grav-lift emitters sitting on a rolling cart. “Our new job is to figure out how to make these…” she explained, holding up an anti-grav emitter, “…work in that,” she ended, pointing to the Gunyoki fighter.
“Why?” one of the technicians asked.
“The original Gunyoki fighters were able to operate in both the atmosphere and in space. The current versions, although far more formidable, cannot.”
“The Gunyoki can operate from the surface if they have to,” another technician said.
“Not without using the majority of their tanked-propellant. The Gunyoki are heavy and have no aerodynamic properties. The only way to make them capable of operating from the surface, without pre and post-atmospheric operation refueling, is to retrofit them with anti-grav systems.”
“The Gunyoki’s fight control systems are not designed to use anti-grav. It will require a complete retooling of their flight control systems.”
“That’s why you’re all here,” Deliza explained. “If all we had to do was slap some anti-grav emitters on them, I wouldn’t need all of you eggheads. Now, shall we get started?”
* * *
“A pleasure to finally meet you,” Commander Manderon greeted, shaking Nathan’s hand. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Nathan replied as he and Jessica took their seats.
“I assume you have questions about your bill?”
Nathan laughed. “About the bill, no. My question is about why you think you have the right to fire on a ship that is well outside your system.”
“We have the right to defend ourselves,” the commander stated firmly.
“And we have the right to freely navigate interstellar space without fear of attack,” Nathan countered, “as should all vessels.”
“Your ship was on a direct course for this station,” Commander Manderon insisted.
“Had we hostile intent, we would have jumped into your system and attacked you directly, and, believe me, had we done so, you would not be sitting here making such ludicrous assertions.”
“Is that a threat, Captain?” the commander wondered.
“I don’t make threats, Commander,” Nathan replied. “I am simply pointing out the flaws in your tactical decisions, as well as your mistaken understanding of interstellar transit rights.”
“I see,” the commander stated nonplussed. “However, I believe it is your understanding that is mistaken. You see, the advent of the jump drive creates a completely different tactical picture, one in which we have very little time to respond to threats.”
“While this may be true, you are overlooking the political aspects of your tactical situation,” Nathan told her.
“Politics are not my concern,” the commander insisted. “My responsibility is the defense of this station and the protection of its residents.”
“Which is precisely why you should not be firing missiles, indiscriminately, at any ship that approaches your system, yet is still well outside any universally-accepted boundaries.”
“Sanctuary station is not bound by, what you refer to as, ‘universally-accepted boundaries’.”
“Well, if you expect to continue interacting and profiting from the rest of the interstellar community, you might want to start.”
“And if you wish to continue conducting business on this station, you will be required to abide by our policies.”
“Now it is you who is making threats,” Nathan replied calmly. “Commander, the day will come when you will fire upon someone who does not care about your rules, nor about your right to exist. They will rightfully interpret this act as one of aggression and will level your station without batting an eye. Those are the kinds of people who are out there. Those are the kinds of people we fight, day in and day out. So, you might want to be a bit more careful about whom you launch unwarranted attacks against.”
“I shall share your concerns with my superiors,” Commander Manderon replied. “However, I doubt they will carry much weight. In the meantime, I should inform you that they have refused your request. You may continue to approach this station in an authorized vessel, equipped with a recognized transponder, but no armed vessel will be allowed to approach this station…period. Is that understood, Captain?”
“It is.”
“Now, about your bill.”
“We will honor your boundaries,” Nathan told her, “despite the fact that you’ve changed them without reasonable notification. However, we will not pay for the missiles you wasted in your unwarranted attack.”
“Captain…”
“Consider the event to be a test of your defense systems,” Jessica suggested. “After all, a system is only good if it is regularly tested.”
“Need I remind you that you still have people on this station,” Commander Manderon said, “one of whom is in no condition to be moved.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed, his demeanor changing. He rose slowly from his seat, Jessica following his lead, and cast an ice-cold, deadly stare at the still-seated commander. “You should choose your next words very carefully. If you take any action against my family, or my people, or make any further threats to do so, veiled or otherwise, you will see just how insufficient your defense system truly is. Do you understand?”
“Captain…” the commander began to backpedal.
“Do you understand?” the captain repeated more firmly than before. “Yes, or no?”
The commander studied him for a moment, also glancing over at Jessica, whose gaze was just as menacing as her captain’s. “Yes,” she finally responded. “I understand.”
“Good day, Commander,” Nathan said, turning to exit.
Jessica just smiled and winked, before following her captain out of the office.
Nathan and Jessica walked across the open room, past the reception counter, and out into the corridor.
“That went well,” Jessica commented as they strode down the hall.
“I’ve had better negotiations,” Nathan admitted. “I just couldn’t handle that woman’s sanctimonious attitude.”
“She’s just a functionary, charged with protecting this station,” Jessica pointed out.
“You think I went too far, then.”
“I’m not saying she didn’t deserve it,” Jessica replied. “Hell, I probably would have kicked her ass again.”
“Again?” Nathan asked, staring at her as they walked.
“Long story,” Jessica replied. “This may complicate things for the Ghatazhak, though. She did authorize them to carry weapons.”
“Only their weapons, and while wearing their uniforms,” Nathan reminded her.
“Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen.”
“You know what I think?” Nathan asked. “I think Commander Manderon has more authority to make decisions about the security of this station than she lets on.”
“Seriously?”
“She’s just using it as an excuse to deflect resentment for her decisions to a bunch of nameless, faceless superiors.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Jessica admitted.
Nathan glanced at her as they walked, surprised. “Think about it. If you were responsible for the safety and defense of this station, wouldn’t you demand full authority?”
“Probably,” Jessica agreed
.
“I think we may have worn out our welcome on Sanctuary,” Nathan decided.
“What about Miri?”
“We may have to make other arrangements. It’s not safe to keep her here if these people are going to keep changing the rules on us, and there’s no way we’re paying for the missiles they launched at us; not unless we’re allowed to recover and keep them.”
“What do you want me to tell Rezhik?” Jessica wondered.
“Just bring him up to speed,” Nathan instructed. “I’m sure he’ll figure out how to deal with it.”
* * *
Deliza entered the lab, surprised to find most of the lights off and no one around. “Hello?”
A familiar blonde-haired woman peeked out from behind a desktop view screen. “Over here,” Abby called.
“Where is everyone?” Deliza asked, walking across the lab to her.
“At dinner, I imagine.”
“You don’t eat dinner?”
Abby held up half a sandwich.
“Dinner is not just about eating, you know,” Deliza stated as she came to stand next to Abby, looking at her view screen. “It’s also about giving your brain a chance to rest.”
“I can’t stop now, I still haven’t figured out how to make these things create the same interaction with energy shields as they do on the Nighthawks.”
“Are you using the same power source?”
“Of course.”
“Same level?”
“Everything is exactly the same as it is on the Nighthawks,” Abby insisted.
Deliza studied the view screen more closely. “Not everything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Nighthawks have two noses, a little less than two meters apart, with an emitter in each nose. Leta told us they have to be spaced apart for balance purposes. Yours aren’t even a meter apart.”
“Jump missiles are only one point two four meters wide,” Abby explained. “I was using them as if they were mounted within the nose cone’s hull.”
“Maybe that has something to do with it?”
“I suppose it’s possible,” Abby admitted, making the necessary adjustments in the computer model. “But they would still have to be mounted within the structure of the weapon.”
“You’re just trying to find out how they work at this point, right?” Deliza said. “Figure out how they work, first, and then figure out how to make them work, later.”
“Makes sense, I suppose,” Abby admitted.
“It’s sort of our motto when it comes to reverse engineering things.”
“Huh,” Abby said as she ran another simulation. “Look at that.”
“Look at what?”
“There, in the area of field overlap between the two emitters. The wave patterns are distorted, but in a patterned way.”
“The pattern looks almost like a harmonic resonance of some sort.”
“Why didn’t it do the same thing when they were closer together?” Abby wondered. “There was a lot more area of overlap.”
“Maybe that’s why?” Deliza suggested. “Maybe it takes a certain amount of overlap in order to generate those wave patterns.”
“If it’s just a wave pattern that’s disrupting their shields, and allowing the Nighthawks to pass through them, then it shouldn’t be that difficult to recreate,” Abby insisted, preparing another simulation.
“Got any more sandwiches?” Deliza asked, pulling up a chair.
* * *
“I can’t believe you told that guy about the Data Ark,” Jessica said. “I thought the only people given access to that information were allies.”
“Which is precisely why I mentioned it,” Nathan replied as he prepared their shuttle for departure.
“But he said SilTek doesn’t make alliances, only business arrangements.”
“Alliances are business arrangements,” Nathan told her. “Sanctuary, Alliance Shuttle, ready for departure from bay one five four,” Nathan announced over comms.
“How so?” Jessica wondered.
“Alliances can generate profit for either party,” Nathan explained. “Besides, profit is not the only reward from a business arrangement. Sometimes, it is for the increased potential for profit.”
“Alliance Shuttle, Sanctuary Control…”
“This is it,” Nathan said.
“What if they don’t let us leave?” Jessica wondered. “Are we going to blast our way out?”
“…Cleared for auto-departure from bay one five four. Expect clearance for departure jump at two-point-five-million-kilometers departure range.”
“Sorry, no firefight today,” Nathan said. “Sanctuary, Alliance Shuttle, auto-departing bay one five four,” Nathan replied as he activated their shuttle’s auto-flight system. “Expecting departure jump clearance at two-point-five-million-kilometers departure range.”
“I guess your threat rattled her after all,” Jessica decided.
“It was meant to,” Nathan replied as their shuttle lifted off the deck and headed toward the exit.
* * *
“Captain on the bridge,” the guard announced as Nathan and Jessica passed.
“Welcome back,” Cameron greeted. “I take it your meetings went well?”
“One, maybe; the other, not so much,” Nathan admitted.
“What happened?”
“Our captain used some rather firm language with Sanctuary’s chief of security,” Jessica said. “Oh, and he refused to pay for the missiles they fired at us.”
“Well, at least your meeting with the SilTek representative bore results,” Cameron said. “We received a message from Mister Vout as you were landing. Ariana Batista, the CEO of SilTek, has invited you to visit their world and meet with her, at your earliest convenience. They even included their location, approach instructions, and recognition codes. I guess you impressed them.”
“It wasn’t me who impressed them,” Nathan replied. “Naralena, send a response to Mister Vout. Thank him, and inform him that we will arrive within the week.”
“Aye, sir.”
Nathan took a deep breath, allowing himself to relax mentally for the first time in hours. “Very well. We’ve got a gaggle of engineers waiting to install our second long-range jump drive, and they can’t get much done while we’re constantly jumping around, so let’s get this ship back to Rakuen, shall we?”
“Yes, sir,” Cameron replied. “Where will you be?”
“Sleeping,” Nathan replied. “I hope.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“How did you sleep?” Cameron asked as she met up with Nathan in the corridor outside the Aurora’s command briefing room.
“Like a log,” Nathan replied. “It was wonderful.”
“Well, you were running on fumes.”
“Yeah, I hope Commander Manderon realized that.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you weren’t too harsh on her,” Cameron defended as they entered the briefing room.
“Captain on deck!” the guard announced.
“As you were,” Nathan insisted as he and Cameron headed for their seats. “I hope everyone finally got a good night’s sleep,” he said, taking his seat. “Let’s start with you, Lieutenant Commander. What’s the position of the dreadnought?”
“It is still in transit, about a day away from Takara,” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda reported. “The octos that survived the Orswella attack rejoined the dreadnought just before their last jump, about two hours ago. If the dreadnought holds course and layover cycles, they should be back in the Takar system by this time tomorrow.”
“And the Orochi?” Nathan wondered.
“What Orochi?” Jessica asked, confused.
“They will be in position in six hours,” Cameron reported.
“What Orochi?” Jessic
a repeated. “In position where?”
“Outside the Takar system,” Nathan told her. “They did call my bluff, after all,” he added with a wry smile.
“Nice,” Jessica nodded. “What are their targets?”
“Gunships, frigates, and about a dozen surface targets such as troop stations, communications infrastructure, propellant production facilities…” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda listed. “Just enough to anger them a bit.”
“They deserve a lot worse,” Jessica said.
“Perhaps, but, at this point, it’s better to maintain the status quo than to escalate it,” Nathan told her.
“Should we proceed with the strike?” the lieutenant commander asked.
“Affirmative,” Nathan replied. “Just make sure they know it’s a hit-and-run operation.”
“It’s Orochis One through Four, led by Commander Kainan, so there shouldn’t be any problems,” Cameron assured him.
“Good,” Nathan replied. “Where are we with the jump-missile defenses for the Rogen system?”
“Current inventory, as of this morning, is two hundred and twenty jump missiles, spread evenly amongst Rakuen, Neramese, and the Orochi, with the exception of One through Four, of course, which are carrying extra missiles for the attack on Takara,” Cameron reported. “The sixth missile plant on Rakuen should be coming online in a few days, with the one on Neramese becoming operational shortly after. With the rate of production, and the additional plants that will be coming online over the next few weeks, we should reach full stock in approximately six weeks.”
“Including us?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, including us,” Cameron assured her.
“Which is precisely why we don’t want things to escalate for a while,” Nathan pointed out.
“I’m betting the Dusahn know this,” Jessica said. “Or, at least, they’ll figure it out quickly enough.”
“I’m betting they could use some time to build up their forces, as well,” Nathan countered. “Losing four battleships and their main shipyard has got to hurt.”
“They’ll be trying to figure out how we managed to get inside their shields, as well,” Cameron added.