Coalition Defense Force Boxed Set: First to Fight

by Gibbs, Daniel

  Henry got the hint and stood. He held back the sigh until he was out of the apartment.

  * * *

  As soon as the spacer captain was gone, Ali turned to Samina. "I cannot stop you. Allah knows I would if I could."

  "Would you, Uncle? I could finally earn money, real money. You could go back to living on a planet, as you've wanted for so long."

  "Not for this cost," Ali insisted. "Not at risking your life, Samina. Your parents would come back from paradise to strangle me if I got you in trouble."

  "I'm an adult now," she insisted. "I'll have to go somewhere dangerous, eventually. The dock teams' jobs are dangerous too."

  "I know, and that is why I didn't want you taking that work, either." Ali sighed. "But there is no other work. Nothing but charity from the district."

  Samina leaned forward and took her uncle's hands. "I know you want what's best for me, Uncle. If you truly believe I should tell Captain Henry no, I'll do so." As she spoke, it was clear she wouldn't be entirely happy about it, but she did mean it. She would listen to him. "My parents would be angry at me if I disobeyed you like that, after all."

  Ali gave her a knowing look. "Ah, look at what manipulations I have to put up with! From my brother's daughter, even. God help me, I'm putty in your expert hands." He chuckled, and made it easy for her to giggle lowly. "Samina, I'm an old cripple who worries a lot for my brother's beloved daughter. But I won't lie to you and claim this may not end up in something better. Captain Henry… I have heard some of the captains I still know speak of him. He pays his crew well, listens to them, shows them loyalty, and what he asks for in return is no less than what I asked of my crew. As independent captains go, he is the best you can do. Certainly better than the pirates."

  "Then I have your blessing, Uncle Ali?"

  He nodded. "You do, child." He freed one hand from hers to put it to her shoulder, which quickly turned into a strong embrace. Each was the only thing the other had left in the world, in terms of family.

  Indeed, Samina felt a brief surge of doubt about leaving her uncle behind and going into space without him and his guidance. There was so much she wanted to see and so much to do. It was a chance to work with the machines that fascinated her so. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to do it, which only made the feeling that she was abandoning her uncle all the stronger.

  "I will be fine, Samina," he assured her. "You’re not abandoning me. This is what Allah means for you."

  "You believe that, Uncle?" She sniffled.

  "I do," he assured her.

  Hearing him say that lifted a burden from Samina's soul. "I'll call and write whenever I can," she promised.

  “I will do the same."

  With all of that said, Samina was able to push away the lingering doubt, the part of many people who saw change coming and feared it, whether or not it was voluntary. This was an opportunity she’d yearned for, and she wouldn't let that sentiment get in her way, not with her uncle supporting her in it.

  When Henry returned with the nihari and an assortment of curried dishes, he found that Samina was already packing bags. "Captain, I hope you'll have me," she said.

  "Welcome to the crew, Miss Khan."

  She was satisfied with his smile and nod.

  * * *

  Henry returned from the Quetta District to find the others waiting. Tia stepped forward and showed him a small gray cone. "Linh's teams found a tracking device," she said.

  Henry looked it over and frowned. "It wasn't inside the ship, was it?"

  She shook her head. "They found it near the rear. It didn't cause any breakage on the hull, so the sensors didn't notice."

  "Looking at it, I'd say it was delivered by gun," Felix added. "The CDF issues this stuff to covert operations teams. Rounds loaded with micro-QET trackers."

  "I doubt this fellow was working for the CDF."

  Felix nodded in agreement. "Well, I'm sure some of the super-wealthy megacorps have them as well. The League might too."

  Henry balled a fist around the tracker. "We're not safe here," he said. "They know we're at Trinidad. We'd better get the repairs done ASAP."

  "Tia says you were off to hire me an engineer's mate," Pieter said. "Any luck?"

  "Yes. She'll be along soon. Still has to finish getting her things in order," Henry said. "Her name is Samina Khan, and you're either going to love her or hate her."

  Pieter chuckled. "As long as she knows how to use an autospanner and the difference between a plasma manifold and a thrust controller."

  "That won't be a problem, I think." Henry glanced back down at the object in his hand. "Okay, I need to make a call." The worried look he gave Felix said everything. "Tia, Pieter, send them where you need 'em."

  "Right away." Tia nodded before turning to face the crew. "All right, Vidia, Piper, I want you to deal with…"

  Henry didn't bother listening to Tia's repair-duty assignments. He was too busy in his own head, figuring out what he was going to say to Caetano. He went into his office and brought the office's computer systems up. A few keystrokes connected him to the communications relays built into Trinidad Station's systems. He sent the call out to Lusitania.

  Vitorino was the first to reply. He appeared on the display screen, wearing a black tie and an elegant suit that probably cost as much as the average Lusitanian worker made in a year. "Captain Henry. I had expected you to be back shortly. Is everything all right?"

  "We were ambushed," Henry explained. "We're repairing now at a space station." He wasn't about to mention being at Trinidad. Even if their pursuers had to know, it was something he wanted to keep quiet for the time being.

  A small frown leapt onto Vitorino’s face. "I trust the damage was not too severe?"

  "It was severe enough," Henry said. "I've got structural repairs to complete before I can risk a gravity-well landing."

  "Then you will be delayed further. I understand, although I admit to disappointment."

  "Well, these things happen when I've got the people behind the attack chasing the witness to silence her," Henry said with a hint of irritation. He still considered revealing Miri's accusation that the League was responsible, but his instincts held him back. He had to play things close to the chest. "Whoever they are, they've got serious hardware support and the pull to sic the Tash'vakal on us."

  Vitorino pursed his lips and nodded. "Yes. It was inconsiderate of me. You've done what you can, Captain. But I am very eager to consult with the witness in person. Please, get her to Lusitania as quickly as possible."

  The call ended abruptly. Henry briefly wondered if Vitorino could read minds and knew he was thinking of asking for cash to help with his repair bills. He banished the thought and set up for another call.

  After a couple of mid-level functionaries required waiting times, Henry found himself face-to-face with Cristina Caetano. She seemed somewhat rushed, as if in a meeting or just out from one, and unlike Vitorino, she was wearing functional business clothes. "Captain, I was expecting your return by now. What is your situation?"

  Henry repeated the news of the ambush and the need to stop for repairs.

  To her credit, Caetano did not protest the occurrence. "It is good that you fought the raiders off," she said. "The Tash'vakal have long been a nuisance."

  "I'm pretty sure they were hired by whoever is behind the attacks."

  "Possibly. It does raise questions, given recent reports."

  Henry furrowed his brow. "What reports?"

  "That is not your concern, Captain," Caetano said sternly. "Now, I would like to speak to the survivor. I cannot get an official statement until she is planetside, of course, but I would like to know where her statement will lead."

  Given the leverage Caetano had, Henry decided not to be coy even if he didn't like her hiding things from him. "I'll call her in." He reached for the intercom control at the right end of his desk. "Ms. Lupa, please report to my office."

  Caetano said nothing during the interim. Henry n
oticed she glanced away from time to time, and he suspected she was typing something. He remained quiet and waited patiently.

  After about a minute, the door slid open. Miri stepped in. "You asked to see me, Captain Henry?"

  On the screen, Caetano returned her attention to him while Henry called her over. Once she could see the screen and the recorders could see her and show her to Caetano, he said, "Karla Lupa, this is Cristina Caetano, Minister of Defense for the Republic of Lusitania."

  "Madame Minister," Miri said and swallowed nervously.

  "Ms. Lupa. I cannot take an official statement from you until you are on Lusitanian soil and can be given a proper deposition by my security forces, but I would like to know, unofficially, what you know. What happened to the Kensington Star?"

  Henry gave Miri a glance. If she wanted to do her part to call out the League, there was her big chance. He listened as she spoke succinctly and without wavering. "She was attacked, ma'am. By the League of Sol."

  Caetano's eyes narrowed. "Truly?"

  "Yes, ma'am." Miri recognized skepticism, as did Henry, but she pressed on. "They disabled our drives and communications, I'm not sure how. I saw their Marines board and hid in my cabin until I could slip away."

  "How did you get away?"

  "I put on an EVA suit and spaced myself."

  Henry noted the intent look that came to Caetano's face. Her blue eyes glistened with interest aimed at Miri. "How did you know you would be rescued?"

  "I didn't."

  Skepticism returned. "So you spaced yourself without anticipation of rescue? Why?"

  "It was my only choice," Miri said. "I have a… history with the League, ma'am. They would have executed me when they found out who I was."

  Henry and Miri watched with interest to see if Caetano believed her. "Well," Caetano said. "Quite the explanation. I look forward to your legal statement when you arrive on Lusitania. Rest assured, Ms. Lupa, that you will be protected while a guest of the state, and if the evidence makes your charges clear, I will happily arrange for your further protection from the League. Now, Captain, please hurry your repairs along. Things are proceeding swiftly here on Lusitania, and I desire Ms. Lupa's official testimony to be available."

  "We're already working on repairs," Henry assured her. "I'll keep you posted."

  "Yes, you will." She cut the line.

  "That woman is terrifying," Miri said. "I have seen her kind."

  "I bet you have." Henry sighed. "And Felix's brother is still at her mercy."

  Miri nodded. "I understand you wish to free him from her. But would you trade my life for this man? Because that’s what you might be doing. If she doesn't believe me…"

  Henry swallowed and glanced away. "I'd rather that not happen."

  "It might." Miri let out a sigh. "Well, at least she will more likely have me shot as a pirate if she doesn't believe me. Better to be shot than spaced."

  "Yeah, I hear you."

  28

  In the offices of the Lusitanian Defense Ministry, Cristina Caetano sat at her desk and directed her attention to the image of her counterpart from New Cornwall, Alistair Maurier, on her screen. "Then you have heard nothing further yet?"

  "The Astra Mater is still in orbit over Harron," he replied. "They're awaiting further word from the investigators on Sektatsh. The ISU's hostel shows Lupa departed of her own free will and never returned."

  "While leaving behind her personal effects?"

  "She had little to leave behind." Maurier smirked, the expression coming across as quite smug. "Given what we've been shown by Ms. Okon, the head of P&Y's security office, it's looking more and more like Lupa was a pirate, herself. We're coming around to the view that she works with the Tokarevs. Their supposed rescue of hers is a little too convenient, if you ask me."

  "Not for Ms. Lupa, if she is sincere," Caetano opined.

  Maurier snorted. "Unlikely."

  Caetano didn't match his bemused look. "I've heard the League may be the suspect she indicated to P&Y?"

  "I can confirm it, and we're discounting it," Maurier said. "It makes little sense they'd provoke this while they were pursuing peace. Besides, it only strengthens the suspicion that the Tokarevs put her up to this. Their hatred and brutality toward the League is notorious. I wouldn't be surprised if they're behind all these disappearances. That entire colony of backward Russian fanatics has been trouble since they first founded Cyrilgrad."

  "They are one of many nuisances, yes," Caetano remarked carefully. "I trust you will keep me informed regardless of the outcome?"

  "Of that, you can be assured. The PM is quite keen on presenting a common front with Lusitania and other key worlds on this issue, and I have been given instructions to that effect."

  "I have similar instructions from my Prime Minister, and I will provide you the same. Good day, Defense Minister." With a tap of a key, Caetano ended the call. She smiled to herself and let her contempt for Maurier and the administration of New Cornwall stew. The truth was that they were desperate to exonerate the League—otherwise, they would be forced to take a stand against it or be shamed before all the other worlds. Given their anemic fleet and even more anemic foreign policy, she suspected they would choose shame and probably get war anyway.

  An incoming message from one of her subordinates in the PdDN appeared on her link. Upon reading the text, she smiled. Everything is going according to plan.

  The smile faded when her secretary sent another message, text only, that Assemblywoman Ascaro had arrived to see her. Caetano signaled to let the Basque democrat in and stood as the door opened.

  Ascaro came in, fired up as always. "This is the last straw, Caetano!" she shouted. "I am going to President Vargas with this!"

  "I beg your pardon?" Caetano raised her eyebrow. The invocation of Lusitania's Head of State, Emilio Vargas, was of interest, although of little threat since the Estado Novo's constitution had strictly limited his ability to restrain the government.

  "Your party thugs are vandalizing my offices again!" Ascaro shouted. Her commlink came up to show the chaotic scene of a political-party office that looked like a miniature tornado had run through it. A tornado capable of writing the Portuguese language, at that, with "Death to Traitors!" painted on the wall. The image depicted a young man with a face beaten into a particular shade of purple. "You’re supposed to maintain law and order in our country. You call this order?"

  "And yet your party is persistently hostile to the Estado Novo and the defense of Lusitania, including that same law and order," Caetano replied coolly. "You consistently oppose efforts to protect our people from threats. In these troubled times, you must be aware that such controversial stands will invite difficulties from the patriotic."

  "Patriotic? Patriotic! This isn't patriotism. It is fascism!" Ascaro raged. "You are deliberately undermining what's left of Lusitanian democracy!"

  "The same democracy that has been voting for my candidates more and more for over a decade," Caetano noted. "For all of your protests, you come into my office, surrounded by my party followers and subordinates. Are you not afraid I would have you assaulted, Assemblywoman?"

  "I wish you would, so that I might show our world the threat you pose!"

  "Your family feels the same way?"

  To that, Ascaro's expression went stone cold, and fury burned in her dark eyes. "You would dare?"

  "I would never harm you, Assemblywoman, as you are a member of the assembly and thus part of the state," Caetano said. "Your family are under the same umbrella. Should you be harmed, I would ensure your attackers were prosecuted to the full extent of Lusitanian law, even if they were the most patriotic members of my party. I am merely asking if you are that willing to put your family in the crosshairs of our political differences."

  Though Caetano spoke with reserve, her words did not do anything to quell Ascaro's anger. "So you would sacrifice your own followers to strike at me. That is what I hear you saying!"

  "Then you have poor hearing,
" Caetano retorted. "You are the perfect example of why democracy is bad for our people in these times. You do not show judgment. You act on passion. You would drag our people into the war on those passions or otherwise sign away our independence. That is why I oppose you. This is why I seek greater strength for the state."

  "You want the power for yourself," Ascaro shot back. "And I must stop you."

  "Now who is threatening whom, Assemblywoman?" Caetano asked.

  "I am not a fascist. I am a democrat. I will win the democratic way!" With that, Ascaro turned and stormed from the room.

  As she left, Caetano returned to her seat. "How interesting it would be if you were to succeed," she murmured to herself.

  * * *

  Samina Khan was used to taking the lifts up to the docking arms of Trinidad Station. What she wasn't used to was carrying bags of personal belongings with her. Despite her protests that her living space on a ship would be limited, Uncle Ali and some of the neighborhood women collecting the Zakat in Quetta insisted on loading her with clothing and comfort items. Their pestering about a good first impression also led to her using her most colorful hijab, a gift from her mother that had bright reds and blues and greens in repeating, contrasting lines. From what Samina had seen, by the time she left Quetta, the entire district knew that she was off to join a ship crew.

  She almost stumbled under the weight of the bags slung on her back and over her arms. After adjusting to that weight, she found her footing and walked toward the dock Captain Henry had specified. The dockworkers and spacers around her gave her some space but said nothing more.

  As she approached the double sliding doors leading into Repair Dock 3-G, a figure stepped up beside her. "Let me help with that." A metal hand picked up one of the bags on her left shoulder and lifted it.

  As the doors to 3-G opened, Samina looked over and slightly up to face Chief Khánh.

  The Hestian woman smiled at her. "Ready for a new life, fetcher?"

  At the nickname given to the most appreciated fetch techs—in comparison to the more childish "fetchie" the others merited—Samina beamed with pride and nodded. "Thank you so much, Chief. I… I don't know how I can repay you."