by Chris Hechtl
“At one time. Times have changed. The herd moved on and rightfully so.”
“Right, by stomping all over them and their constitutional rights. But you turn a blind eye to it, and it's my people's duty to stop any violence sparked from their desperation. Some would call what you are doing genocide. I'm betting the Federation will do so when they find out about it.”
The room broke into chatter over that. It was clear not many had thought of that.
“Then we have no choice but to fight!”
“And therein is the danger. Yes, we have ships, wonderful ships. But each capital ship takes us years to build. It costs billions of credits; you of all should know that. A single fighter or bomber with an antimatter torpedo can destroy that ship and the herd on board in minutes. Years of investment, in training, in material, all blown into splinters by a couple of dollops of antimatter smaller than my thumb.” He brandished his thumb above his head to make his point. He ignored the flashes of the cameras going off around him. Finally, slowly he lowered his hand once more.
“I think you underestimate our defenses.”
“I think I'm more in a position to be aware of them and know their limits. I face facts honestly, Senator, not with blinders. You do not want to hear the warnings I'm giving you. I can't stop you from putting us on the path you wish us to be on. But I can inform you and the herd of the potential disasters we may face. From there it is your choice. And it is ultimately your responsibility to the herd for the path you put us on.”
“Potential. Maybe, you don't know.”
“That is correct. I do know what the Federation can do. I remember what the Terran Interstellar War did to us. I do not want a repeat thank you very much.”
“Thank you, Admiral, but the senator's time is up. Moving on …”
<()>^<()>
President Bent Tip inhaled and exhaled as she listened to the news. The spin was mixed, the conservatives were trying to keep them at home, and they'd found an unlikely ally in the liberals. The war faction was trying to call for the admiral's resignation, but that wasn't going to happen. She nodded politely to the admiral as he entered her office. “Close the door,” she ordered. When he did so she shook her head. “You had fun today,” she said as he tucked his hands behind his back.
“Not really, ma'am.”
“You gave them both barrels,” she stated.
He snorted. They had a good working relationship. He kept it strictly professional of course but occasionally let a little of himself loose. “Hardly, ma'am. If I had I would have done a full dog and pony show, complete with visuals of the dangers.”
“You don't think we should strike the Fed forces here now?”
“I think everyone is jumping onto the idea of striking the Feds without first talking to them. They might accept our borders and leave us alone. But, if we go on the war path, that path might be closed to us.”
The president nodded slowly.
“I haven't made any decisions on that … for now. And I will keep what you said then and now in mind. Firmly in mind. But try to keep a lid on it, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And Admiral?”
“Ma'am?”
“Let's try to refrain from throwing around accusations that my government, your government is committing genocide, okay?”
“I will try to endeavor to do so publicly, ma'am. But you know I'm …”
“A horrible liar. Yes, I know. It is one of your most admirable and vexing qualities,” she said with a sigh. “Just … keep a lid on it,” she said again.
“I'll do my best, ma'am.”
<()>^<()>
Admiral Silvertip wasn't surprised when he got a call from Director Blacksight after he left the capital building. “Thanks for taking it on the chin for me. I don't mind you stealing some of my thunder about the damage.”
“I know. I don't envy you when they find out how many ansibles were destroyed and get the bill,” the admiral said as he stepped into the air car. The driver shut the door, and he waited for the driver to mount up so they could take off. “Your turn is coming, trust me.”
“Oh, I know. I'm not looking forward to it. I wanted to give you a heads-up though. I haven't gotten confirmation so this stays classified.”
“Oh?”
“I can't tell you over the phone obviously. Meet me in your office, and I'll let you know about something that might have changed things in the sector strategically.”
The admiral grimaced. “Does it have to be tonight?”
“What? No! Not tonight. Spirits of Space, no, it's important but it can wait until morning. I know you must be having the mother of all headaches. Did the boss rake you over the coals?”
“Only warmed my nuts a little. Nothing I can't handle.”
The director snorted a bit. “Cute. Okay, I'll pencil you in. Get here when you can, I'll have you read in.”
“Thanks,” the admiral said as he cut the channel. He didn't know what that was about but it was typical for the spook to be all mysterious.
He was curious though, and he was also curious about what his own reaction would be once he pried the news out of Blacksight.
Chapter 40
Dead Man's Hand
Doctor Perez checked in on the clinic. They had one clinic running on the base and a small team that went to each ship. The ships were supposed to pay for the vaccines. Technically, she should be making all sorts of credit but no one had thrown any money her way. She was starting to get a bit worried about that.
But, they weren't quite done. So far she'd managed to create vaccines for the easiest plagues. In order to test vaccines on a sentient, she needed to expose someone to the viruses once they'd been vaccinated. That hadn't gone over well, though the admiral had seen the wisdom of the project. Booty'licious had facilities to test them as well. They found dozens of luckless people from the base, many of them slaves. Some were bought outright from their owners.
It bothered her that she needed to test each vaccine and plague on at least one of every species, though she could get away with one dog or cat versus one of every subspecies. Twice she'd had failures.
She was irritated that the admiral had ordered the subjects to be spaced after the test, even a successful one. She could see the reasoning; he didn't want word to get around about what they were doing. But testing the vaccines on the kittens and cubs, and then spacing them, that bothered her. She'd much rather do an abortion any day to that.
<()>^<()>
Admiral Ishmael dredged up what they knew about Upsilon. Dead Man's Hand would be the perfect place for information … except for the fact that the blasted A.I. Jello had deleted or corrupted the files. He wanted the A.I. destroyed, but it was integrated into too many systems in the base. There was no way to purge it from the net at this point.
So, he was stuck putting up with it.
<()>^<()>
Captain Baker worked with the other captains to train while the ships were being repaired. Many were at first scornful of playing video games. They came around when he pointed out those same games would save them fuel. It also allowed them to program one or more ships with the specs they observed the Navy using.
A couple of rounds with a ship in such a match told them that they needed to change tactics. Just about every ship captain received a drubbing when they went up against a navy ship of equal class with their own. They fared a little better when they went up against a ship smaller than they were.
It took a week for him to convince them to try going up against a Fed ship or virtual convoy in hunting pairs. They fared better in the simulations.
He, Captain Hammer, Captain Gutt, or on one or two occasions, the admiral took the opposition force. They were all brutal against their opponents. Captain Gutt insisted on taking his turn against the navy simulation too. The admiral was on hand for that one and commanded the opposition force. The two fought to a draw and then laughed about it over drinks later.
No matter how ha
rd they practiced though the Neochimp was reminded that it was all just a virtual simulation.
<()>^<()>
Captain Dab's salvage crew got to work on the derelict Tauren battlecruiser in the bone yard. The ship had markers warning any off since it had been claimed by the admiral himself. Once they completed the initial survey, they worked from a list that had been drawn up, pulling components for Black Death.
While they did that, the Gnoll engineering captain kicked Seydlitz loose. She had half the weapon mounts as before, half her point defense, no missiles or counter missiles, but she was a functional ship once more. Her sensors sucked, as did her speed, but she was whole once more. More importantly, Captain Fisher was just about broke.
Since she had accepted the Long Sands mission, the admiral had seen fit to provision her ship for her journey. Once there she was on her own for supplies though.
Captain Dab shook her head at the shiny look in the cat's eyes. She knew that look, the look of a new captain blinded by love. She'd thought the Neocat would have been over it. After all she wasn't a new captain, and she'd had her hands up to her elbows in the repairs from the beginning but not so.
She did wish the cat and the ship the best of luck as the cruiser made her way to the jump point and disappeared.
<()>^<()>
A ship surprised them when it came into the star system at the Tau-R1555 jump point several months after they had started to settle in. The light cruiser squawked her IFF, allaying the fears from some that the navy had found them.
The admiral could have told them it wasn't a Federation ship; the ship had come in on one of their known routes and far from Tortuga. But he judged a little fright would help them to pay attention in the future.
He got the IFF and snorted. The ship was Bowsprite, a character of a ship as colorful as her captain and XO. The ship sent off her itinerary; she'd come from Virgin Holes with news.
He nodded as he scanned the report and image of the ship. She was familiar of course; her past captains had wanted her to be that way. She sported red sails made out of memory fabric. The memory fabric had the ability to show simple images, though he'd heard that a few had been replaced with some sort of projection system.
The ship had two dorsal, two ventral, and two jib sails. The captain and crew liked to put up images of a pirate flag or of death to scare the living daylights out of their prey. The sails were just there for psychological effect.
Three days later Captain Gutt ribbed the peacock of a human captain about the sails.
“You love them, you know you do,” Captain Garnet said with a grin. He was dressed in a Caribbean pirate costume complete with a big hat with a big ostrich feather on it. He was known as something of a prima donna among the captains for his outlandish outfits.
“Oh, aye,” Captain Gutt growled. He thought they were stupid but had to grudgingly admire their effect on ships. “Wish we'd had you along when we went after that Fed convoy. You would have seen them torn apart then,” he growled.
“I heard you were going after a convoy! But what of the others?” The captain was careful not to ask what had become of the convoy. Three days in the star system had gotten him more or less caught up on scuttlebutt.
“Yes, we know,” Captain Hammer said. “That's yesterday's news.”
“Wait, convoys plural? More than one?” Admiral Ishmael demanded.
“Oh, aye. Pyrite was in Tau-9SC441 and missed one by a week. According to the lubbers, it was a group of small ships with, get this,” he said slyly, leaning in conspiratorially.
“Eh?”
“Ansibles,” the captain said with a grin.
“Ansibles?” the word echoed around the chamber.
“Aye, ansibles,” the captain replied, standing up straight and laying one finger along his nose and giving a wink. “There was a bit of talk about going after them but they had a warship escort. The next convoy did as well. Word was you were headed in that direction as well so the consensus was there wouldn't be anything left. But, I find you here so, now me thinks we should go after it.”
The admiral rumbled softly. “When was this?”
“Oh aye, last year be likes,” the captain replied.
The admiral shook his head. “By now they be in that naval base and safe,” he said.
“Oh,” the captain said, clearly disappointed.
“But it is important information,” the admiral said, tossing a small bag of credits to the captain. “For your troubles in bringin' it to me,” he growled.
The captain fumbled the catch but then tucked it into the folds of his shirt before someone else could snatch it. “My thanks, Admiral,” he said, bowing and waving his feather capped hat with a flourish. “Tis there any way else I can be of assistance?”
“Aye. We need a runner to Virgin Holes to keep them up-to-date on the changes,” the admiral growled. “I sent a ship, did it arrive?”
Captain Garnet grimaced. “If it had it may have come in after I left,” he said.
“Ah then, no matter for now,” the admiral growled.
<()>^<()>
“The ansibles, that bothers you? A missed opportunity?” Captain Baker asked, eyeing the admiral.
“Eh? No, strategic,” the admiral rumbled as he turned to the Neochimp. He thrashed his tail, ears half flat. “It bode ill for our kind,” he stated.
“I'm not following,” Kix replied, wrinkling his nose.
“Ansibles! They be the device the old Federation used to keep in contact. And now they have one here! And mayhap more than one! If they spread them out in different places, they could keep in contact and learn of our routes and movements. They could dispatch forces to get ahead of one of our ships. They could also whistle up help from home should the need arise,” he said.
Kix nodded, kicking himself for admitting his ignorance. “I see now, sir.”
“We'll need to put a bounty on them,” the admiral growled.
Kix nodded. “It makes sense; they getting them here. Now they can coordinate better.”
“Of course it does. I'm kicking myself for not anticipating it and getting ahead of it!” the admiral growled.
“Regrets?”
“Oh, aye. I came here because the Black Death needed parts from that ship,” he said, waving a hand to the distant derelict. “I also wanted to put some distance between us and the navy.”
Kix nodded. He knew those points.
“Had I had my head on straight, I would have sent the bulk of the ships to Virgin Holes. From there we'd be poised to raid their shipping line. So, any more convoys would be vulnerable. And there be no argument about profit from hitting a convoy!”
“Not if we took it more or less intact,” Kix replied with a nod. “Do you want to relocate?” he asked reluctantly.
“I am … unsure,” the admiral said. “If they have the databases from our ships, and I have to assume they do, then Virgin Holes is vulnerable to attack. And tis closer to them, and, as I said, more of a danger to their shipping,” he growled, playing his index finger over his scarred lip. “I'd like to send Gutt back there and have him see what he can do. But I don't know if he could do much alone. And if I did send him, he's liable to go off on that quixotic revenge quest or some such.”
“Pity we can't send more ships with him.”
“Aye, but if we did they'd go their own way. Our people are too used to working alone,” the admiral growled. “How goes your training? And the ship repairs?”
Kix grimaced. “Training is going fair to middling. I think we've hit a peek with what we've got. We've also integrated what we can of the tech that came from Horath and adapted to what we learned from the engagements with the navy. But we are going to plateau if we haven't already.”
“Ah. And the repairs?”
“There we have problems. You did remember that the hulk has been left here for a long time? And we've been picking over it for centuries?” The Neolion nodded but remained silent. “So, the choice bits are gone. And me th
inks some unnamed souls may have had a hand in picking the ship too in our absence,” he said. The admiral growled. He'd left specific instructions that it to be left sacrosanct.
Of course there wasn't much honor between thieves … or pirates. And it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Or, get away with it if the owner wasn't around to catch you.
“I put out a reward for the names of any who took the parts. So far, only a few false leads. I think it’s moot anyway; any ship that did would be gone.”
The admiral nodded.
“Captain Dab has reported that she can and is using some of the structure to make better repairs to our starboard flank. That's the good news. The bad is that one, she'll have to rip out some of what she did to get at it. And two, there are no nodes or weapons though. Our shields will be weak at best. And our armor is thin on that flank.”
“And our weapons even thinner,” the admiral growled. “Keep on it. Add point defense weapons first,” he growled.
Kix nodded. Something told him they'd need them.
Chapter 41
Tortuga
Ayumu was tired but feeling good about their progress. They were a well-oiled machine now, they had surveyed every hulk in the star system and a list of what needed to be done had been generated by the engineers and ship architects. They'd even dealt with many of the booby traps in the ships, not without losing a robot or hardware from time to time, but no organic had been hurt or killed.
That wasn't to say that a few people had gotten the shit scared out of them. He'd heard about how some idiot had made a fake bomb and stuck it in a compartment. That had been a lot less funny for the EOD techs and people involved. And the culprit had faced a full captain's mast too.
He'd lost a stripe and had spent some quality time on bread and water in the brig.