Sakira

by Robert blanton

  “The captain was poisoned by the first officer; only he had access to the captain’s private stores where I found the poison. It was in one of the captain’s special treats. Based on the rotation, the first officer was in stasis when the captain died. The poison had obviously been selected so that it would appear that the captain had had an allergic reaction to some of the food we had harvested from your world. I happened to be familiar with the poison from a previous experience, otherwise the first officer would have succeeded. Instead, I used the symptoms to declare a contamination by an unknown contagion and placed the crew in stasis and quarantined the ship. That puts several protocols into place, one of which restricts any other ship from our world from coming here until the issue is resolved. The first officer has powerful friends and family in the government, so I didn’t risk notifying Paraxea; instead, I hoped that using the quarantine protocol and time we could find you and together we could come up with a solution.

  “Now, my other concern.

  “I have always believed that our government was benevolent, but I cannot understand how the first officer and his friends got on this mission. The first officer must have used his influence to make it happen, and if he did so, then he must have a bigger plan. Because of that, I think it is imperative that you get your world ready to encounter my world. If you are not capable of interstellar travel when my world comes back to check, it is possible that they would put you in a subservient position. Given what happened to our captain, it might not be a nice situation. But if you can bring your technology along over the next fifty-years so that it is on a par with ours, and if you have a means of defending yourselves, then things might be handled in a more equitable manner.

  “Of course, that means you also have to find a way to keep the various governments on your world from destroying the planet. I don’t have the political savvy to know how to do that. I’m just a doctor, but given the altruistic nature you must have to have passed the tests, I’m hoping you do. You’ll also need lots of technical help to guide the integration of our technology into yours. You must be some kind of explorer or technologist to have discovered the Sakira, but if not, you need to find someone you can trust. I recommend a small circle of people since it’s difficult to find very many truly loyal people.

  “After this message, all the protocols will be released to you. Until now, the DI was restricted from contacting the home planet and constrained from aborting the mission. But now you will be the unrestrained captain of this ship and its mission. Please be careful, and good luck.”

  “Oh, this keeps getting better and better,” Marc muttered to himself as he headed off to bed.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  On Monday, they took the Mea Huli out for the final cruise before having to prepare it for shipping on Friday. It was also their last chance for true privacy to go over plans for the next four weeks before they’d be able to meet the Mea Huli in Antigua.

  “Captain, you are clear of all audio surveillance,” ADI said.

  “Thank you, ADI,” Marc replied. “So guys, let’s talk about plans,” he said to Blake and Catie.

  “Yes, what are we going to do for two weeks without a ship?” Blake asked.

  “I have to settle with the Navy. Hopefully this week,” Marc said. “Then Catie and I are going to do vacation-y type things for a couple of weeks.”

  “Huh?” Catie said, somewhat startled. “Can’t we do something to prepare for Antigua?”

  “You’re out here for a vacation, or have you forgotten? Your mother is expecting reports of vacation activities; besides, it’ll help calm the Navy, and maybe they’ll pull their surveillance.”

  “Okay, I’m good with that,” Blake said. “I’ll do some team building with Kal and Liz.”

  “Who are Kal and Liz?” Catie asked.

  “They’re two new members of our crew,” Marc said. “We’ll need help, and we want some more ex-military types to beef up our security.”

  “Oh,” Catie said, wondering why she hadn’t been consulted.

  “And Blake, how about adding some team-building activities besides drinking together,” Marc said.

  “Damn, what a wet blanket,” Blake laughed. “I plan on working out with them, and we’ll spend some time at the firing range. Might even do some paintball.”

  “Ooh, can I do the paintball with you?” Catie pleaded.

  Blake looked at Marc. “Why not. She’s played before.”

  “Yes!” Catie squealed.

  “We can do the paintball on Friday, and try to fit another in next week,” Blake said.

  “Why don’t we try to get two in next week,” Marc said. “I’m planning to fly to Miami the end of next week.”

  Catie pumped her fist.

  “Why Miami?”

  “We need to do some research on sunken treasure ships,” Marc said. “I figure a week in Miami will look good, and we can do some additional research in Antigua while we wait for the Mea Huli.”

  “Okay, I’ll plan to be in Antigua the week before the Mea Huli arrives on the twenty-third,” Blake said. “That’ll give Kal, Liz, and me a chance to scope out the local scene. What about ADI?”

  “What do you mean? We’ll have access via our comms.”

  “But it’s real nice having that little spy-bot hanging around. She does a great job detecting surveillance.”

  “How will that help in a hotel? We can’t put one in the hallway.”

  “Good point,” Blake said. “ADI, do you have other options for detecting surveillance and providing security?”

  “There are surveillance pucks in the ship’s stores,” ADI replied.

  “What are surveillance pucks?”

  “They provide EM surveillance and video stream of the surrounding area. They are eighty millimeters in diameter and fifteen millimeters thick. They can be attached to any surface.”

  “Oh, we need some of those,” Blake said.

  “We’ll get some. ADI, how can we get one of your relay drones to Antigua?” Marc asked.

  “Captain, it would not be able to make that long a flight. It only has enough power to stay aloft for two hours. I could deliver it using one of the FX4s.”

  “I don’t think we want to send an FX4 flying around on its own. I’d like to have one on each of us at all times,” Blake said.

  “What good are they going to be in a hotel room?” Marc asked.

  “They connect with the pucks and our comms,” Blake said. “ADI, is there a reason we wouldn’t be able to carry it in our luggage?”

  “They x-ray luggage,” Marc said.

  “An x-ray would just show the drone as a solid mass,” ADI said.

  “But it’s kind of a weird shape. Like a bowling ball with a flat side.”

  “Can’t we make a shell, so it looks like a bowling ball?” Catie suggested.

  “ADI, could you make a shell like Catie suggests?” Marc asked.

  “Yes, Captain. A bowling ball is twenty-one-point-five centimeters in diameter. The drone is twenty centimeters; I can manufacture a shell that snaps together with the finger holes on the bottom where the drone is flat.”

  “Will it appear solid on the x-ray?”

  “Yes, Captain,” ADI said. “I can add material in the base to ensure it looks solid. It will weigh three-kilograms.”

  “Perfect. How soon can you have them made?”

  “Thirty minutes, Captain.”

  “Please make them now. We need to pick them up today along with ten surveillance pucks.”

  Blake got up and changed their course to pass by Lehua. “It will take two hours to get there.”

  “I’m still worried about an inspection,” Marc said.

  “Hey, you’re rich,” Blake said. “Just charter a flight; no baggage check on a private flight.”

  “Yes!” Catie clenched both fists and did a little dance with her feet.

  “I guess that’s decided,” Marc said.

  “She’s so excited, maybe you can talk her into payin
g,” Blake teased.

  “No way, I’m a kid. You can’t use my money,” Catie retorted.

  “What gives you that idea?” Marc asked.

  “Hey, you’re my dad, you have to pay for me.”

  “That doesn’t sound fair.”

  “You already told me life’s not fair. You’re the parent, I’m the kid. You have to take care of me.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Good morning, Dr. McCormack,” Admiral Michaels said, extending his hand to Marc.

  Marc shook hands with the admiral, but he really didn’t like the man. Even though the admiral was doing what Marc had expected and had even hoped for, Marc couldn’t help but feel distaste at being coerced into selling his sonar invention to the Navy, even if that was his plan all along.

  “Let’s get down to business,” Admiral Michaels said. “As you know, the U.S. Government has declared the Hyperion technology classified and would like to have exclusive access to the technology.”

  “Would like?” Marc retorted. “And if I don’t agree?”

  “We’ve already been down this path. We would like to make things amicable, but we will have control over Hyperion.”

  “Good luck reverse engineering it.”

  “As I reminded you, we’ve already been here. If you refuse, we’ll seize all your assets and charge you with espionage. It is in your interest as well as the national interest to cooperate.”

  “What are you offering?”

  “We’re offering you eight million dollars for the design and all prototype materials.”

  “My calculations show that Hyperion would generate over thirty million dollars in the next ten years, which gives it a Net Present Value of over thirty-five million,” Marc spat out angrily. “Your offer is an insult.”

  “I know you’re angry,” the admiral replied quietly, “but I have limited scope in this negotiation. And you do not want to have to negotiate with the next team. I’ll lay my cards on the table. I’ve been authorized to go to twenty million. But that’s my limit. If that is not acceptable, I will have to turn this thing over to the big boys.”

  “This is crap,” Marc spat out.

  “Best I can do.”

  Marc gritted his teeth. “I’ll agree if you buy the company.”

  “What are the company debts and assets?”

  “As if you don’t know. There are no assets besides the Hyperion design, the debts are around fifty thousand.”

  “Deal,” the admiral said as he extended his hand again.

  Marc shook hands with him, “I’ll transfer the design documents and associated data once we have a signed contract, and the funds are in my account.”

  “You don’t trust us?”

  “Haven’t seen any reason I should.”

  The admiral shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “You’ll have the documents delivered to you by tomorrow. Funds will transfer once you sign. Where would you like us to reach you?”

  “At my condo,” Marc replied.

  After the door closed behind Marc, the lieutenant who had been sitting next to the admiral finally spoke up. “Well, he was certainly pissed off.”

  “I think Dr. McCormack got exactly what he wanted,” the admiral said.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, he saved over ten million by getting us to buy the company.”

  “How?”

  “No corporate tax on the twenty million followed by personal tax when he took profits out of the company. This way, he only has to pay capital gains on the twenty million.”

  “Then, why did you give him such a good deal?”

  “We are taking away his design and his company; besides, I don’t work for the IRS.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “How’d it go with the Navy boys?” Blake asked when Marc joined him and Catie at the restaurant.

  Marc blinked on the surveillance icon.

  “Captain, I detect no surveillance.”

  “Good,” Marc said. “We got twenty million, and they’re buying the company.”

  “They’re buying the company, that means we’re set.”

  “For now.”

  “Why is buying the company good?” Catie asked.

  “Taxes,” Marc replied. “They’re buying our shares, so we only have to pay capital gains tax.”

  “Oh!”

  “We’ll have the papers and money tomorrow. Catie and I’ll pack up next week and be ready to head out on to the east coast next Friday. I’ve sublet the condo for the rest of my lease.”

  “Great, we have dinner with our team on Thursday, paintball Friday, then again on Monday and Wednesday next week,” Blake said.

  Chapter 6

  MacKenzie Discoveries

  Blake set their first team meeting at Orchids, a Japanese restaurant down the street from Marc’s condo. He made a point to arrive well before everyone else. He wanted to make sure that everything was set in the private dining room he’d reserved. He had ADI use his comm to scan and make sure there were no listening devices. He confirmed all the arrangements with the staff, a raised table so Kal would be able to sit, complete privacy during the dinner.

  Kal was the first to arrive. “Hey, Kal, you’re early.”

  “Only a bit, thought I’d see how things were shaping up.”

  “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

  “Nah, I’m ready,” Kal said. “By the way, I can’t get cold feet.”

  “Ah, give me a break.”

  “I’m just messing with you. And thanks for having a raised table.”

  “No problem.”

  Kal took a seat and relaxed while he waited for the rest of the team to show up. Marc and Catie came in about five minutes later.

  “Hello, you must be Kal,” Marc said as he walked over to Kal. He waved Kal back to his seat before he could start to get up. “I’m Marc, and this is my daughter, Catie.”

  “Hi,” Catie waved as she took a seat next to Kal, where Blake had indicated.

  “And this must be Liz,” Blake said as a tall blond woman entered. She was obviously athletic. She wore nice slacks and a simple blazer over a white blouse, but she looked like she could just take off running if she needed to.

  “Yes,” Liz replied. “Commander McCormack?”

  “Just call me Blake, or Captain if we’re aboard,” Blake replied. “You know Kal.” Liz gave Kal a nod. “And this is my brother Marc, our fearless leader. And the young lady is his daughter, Catie.”

  Liz looked at Catie, shocked. “This is the fifth team member?”

  “Yes, didn’t Kal tell you Marc’s daughter would be our fifth?”

  “Yes, but I was thinking seventeen or eighteen, what is she, like ten?”

  “Twelve,” Catie snapped as she gave Liz a cold, dead stare. Marc was shocked at the look. He’d never seen Catie look so much like her mother. She was showing the same steel her mother used to have before. It made him proud.

  Liz stared back at Catie for a minute before she broke eye contact. “Well, youth is good,” she smiled. She shook hands with everyone and took the empty seat on the other side of Kal. Marc and Blake sat down.

  “Let me first welcome everyone to MacKenzie Discoveries,” Marc said. “The name was selected by Catie to honor our Scottish roots. Alexander MacKenzie was one of the first explorers to reach the Arctic Ocean. He was also the first European to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean north of the Rio Grande; his crossing was in Canada.”

  “That’s interesting,” Liz said. “And I think a good choice for the company name.”

  “The waitresses will be here in a moment to take our orders, so check out the menu,” Marc said. “Once they serve dinner, the staff will leave us alone so we can discuss our plans and answer any questions.”

  With that, Blake pressed the call button, and three Japanese women entered the room. Two of them served each diner a glass of water while the third simply stood at the back of the room and observed. After serving the water, the other two
joined her and quietly waited while everyone perused the menu.

  When everyone had set their menu down, indicating that they had made their selection, one of the women made the quick round to take drink orders then hurried off. The second explained the menu options, answered a couple of questions, and then took the orders. By the time she was finished, the first woman had returned with the drinks.

  Blake stood and raised his glass in a toast. “To MacKenzie Discoveries.”

  Everyone raised their glass in reply and drank.

  “So, Liz, Kal tells me that you fly helicopters,” Blake said, trying to fill the time until their dinners arrived.

  “Yes, I’m flying between the islands, quick hops for those who don’t want to hassle with regular airports.”

  “That must be fun,” Catie said. “You get to see every island and catch all the beautiful scenery.”

  “It is kind of fun, but a little tame for me,” Liz replied.

  “Yes, I guess everything is tame after flying a Viper,” Blake said.

  “Kal, what did you do in Iraq?” Marc asked, bringing Kal into the conversation.

  “I was a grunt,” Kal said. “Incursions, house to house, that sort of thing.”

  “That must have been scary,” Catie said.

  “It definitely got your motor running,” Kal replied.

  “He had quite the reputation,” Liz said. “His men thought he was some kind of war god.”

  “Why?” Catie asked.

  “I think it was some Hawaiian war cry he’d let out,” Liz said. “That and the fact that they always made it back safe.”

  “Except that last time,” Kal said.

  “You all made it back,” Liz said. “That’s safe in my books.”

  “What happened the last time?”

  “They knew we were coming and had a trap set.”