“I have flow. No dizziness or lightheadedness,” Diosa reported as she buckled on the pistol belt. “Thanks for your help.”
“Ha. Thank you, Master Sergeant, for saving the children,” Candela replied. “The clipper has a ramp for easy access. But if this Enyd Kealan is in there, she may be watching the entrance.”
“I’m open for alternative approaches,” Diosa said.
“We pulled the ion cannon wall last week,” advised the shipwright. “There’s a cut across the top of the hull. The moon is about twenty-five percent of standard gravity. If you can jump and get a handhold, you can reach the gash and drop into the interior.”
“It’s a plan,” confirmed Diosa as she left the changing room and shuffled to the first air curtain.
Between the curtains there was little dust although Diosa felt the suit tighten. It really cranked down to compensate for the weak atmosphere when she pushed aside the second air curtain. Outside, the ground ran level, being crushed flat by truck traffic. Then as Candela described, the dust layer thickened and Diosa almost tripped over a rock.
Her footprints from when Kaito had dropped her off were still visible. But someone had smeared dust into Diosa’s prints from walking the other way. She assumed it was Enyd.
Soon, the hull’s nose towered over Diosa and she could make out the access ramp halfway down one side of the clipper ship. Rather than head for the ramp, Diosa chose the other side of the huge transport. Five minutes of bounding across the moon’s surface later, she stopped and studied the plating on the massive hull.
After stepping away from the hull a few paces, Diosa ran forward, flexed her knees and leaped. Standard gravity would have made for a solid landing and a powerful push off. Compensating for the lack of a launch point, the lighter gravity allowed the Striker to soar four meters up the plating.
Instead of falling quickly from the top of her leap, she hung in the air a full second. Enough time to reach out and get a grip on a mounting bracket. Whatever had been mounted was long gone, but another rested three meters higher on the hull. Two jumps and two brackets later, Diosa was able to peer through the gash and into the empty engine compartment.
Swinging her legs over the hull plating, Diosa lowered her body and hung for a second before letting go and dropping to the deck.
***
Dark corners and open hatches slowed her progress. Each had to be approached cautiously and searched before the Striker could move forward. In her armor, she would have chanced a shot in the back but the vacuum suit offered no protection.
The crew quarters and the captain’s suite were behind Diosa. As she stepped between the crew seats a muffled noise came from the direction of the flight deck. With the door closed, she couldn’t see into the deck.
“Major Kealan. Step away from the door,” Diosa called out.
“Is that you Inspector Alberich?” Enyd asked.
“It is. Step away from the door,” repeated Diosa.
“Why? Are you going to smash it down?” Enyd called back. “Come bursting in here like some kind of Realm hero?”
Diosa drew her pistol, placed the sight on the door handle and pulled the trigger. The round punched a hole where the handle had been and slammed the door open.
“Major Kealan. Are you okay?” Diosa asked from behind the second row of overstuffed lounge chairs.
“Empress bless me. You shot the door,” gushed Enyd. “Suppose I had been standing there?”
“Then you’d be dead,” responded Diosa. “It was the only way for us to have a conversation without yelling.”
“Let me get this straight. Either we talk or I’m dead?” she inquired. “That doesn’t leave much room for negotiations.”
“There isn’t. You are Constabulary and I’m a Marine,” advised Diosa. “If I didn’t need you for several things, I’d have followed up with an assault.”
“What things? Master Sergeant, right?” the Major asked.
“Yes ma’am. Retired but that has no bearing on our conversation,” Diosa replied. “And if you’re playing for time until your Troops come down, at the first sound of a shuttle, I’m afraid our talk will end. Unless.”
“Unless what?” probed Enyd.
“What do you know about Jordy Katrijn?” asked Diosa while ignoring the Major’s question.
“He’s a profiteer. The Empress’ local commander made a deal to gather information and they sent me in to collect and verify it,” explained Enyd. “In exchange, I worked my way onto the managers’ level and did a job for Katrijn. You know the rest.”
“When we talked before, you said you had something on Jordy,” Diosa said. “I want to know what that is.”
“People in space want gravity and air,” Enyd answered. “People in every galaxy have wants. They don’t always get their wishes.”
“And people living among strangers, want to go home,” replied Diosa. “And living people want to continue living. But let me get specific. You have choices for both.”
“You would return me to the Loyal Constabulary?” Enyd inquired.
“And alive, despite my desire to eliminate a Constabulary Major,” Diosa said reminding her of the Marine’s preference. “It’s your choice.”
Enyd Kealan fell silent and Diosa waited. A classic adage of hostage negotiation was the first person to speak loses. After a long time, Enyd broke.
“Jordy Katrijn keeps a diary of all the things he’s doing for the Empress,” Enyd responded. “I expect he plans to present it for a reward after her glorious return.”
It took all the former Striker’s will not to challenge the statement about the Empress returning.
“Where does he keep the diary?” inquired Diosa.
“It’s on a computer but not attached to the net,” explained Major Kealan. “The one time I met him, he bragged about his value to the Empress. Value to the Empress? He’s no better than the pirates we employ. No loyalty or honor, just an insatiable hunger for Pesetas and power.”
“Any clue where he might store the computer?” Diosa asked as she slipped from behind the crew chair and into the aisle.
“Maybe his suite in his headquarters building,” offered Enyd. “If not there, then definitely somewhere he feels it’s safe.”
Diosa’s pistol fired four times. In the flight deck, two rounds imbedded in softer material. The other two pinged off hard surfaces and whizzed across the command deck.
***
“You will release Captain Ritva,” directed the voice from the El Enara Loco. “Any aggression against soldiers of the Empress will be dealt with severely.”
“I get it you thumb sucking idiot,” Luz replied after releasing the transmit button. “And your plan to use Ritva to get leverage on them crashes and burns, Captain Maricor.”
“But he’s a Captain of soldiers for the Empress,” pleaded Iska.
“Apparently, Commodore Oskari doesn’t hold Captain Ritva in high regard,” Ryo commented.
“Correction. Commodore Oskari doesn’t even know who he is. If he did, the Commodore would have come on the radio,” Doctor Marikit added. “What do we do now?”
“I’ve sent the parts list and the hull damage reports to our crews,” Ryo said. “For now, we prepare to do the repairs and try to delay their landing troops.”
Pablo Luz pulled up a picture of the damaged warship and enlarged it.
“The Constabulary Navy has issues,” he said while scrolling across twisted and irregular holes that gouged deeply into the spaceship. “The Enara can’t reach exterior drive with that structural damage. I’d put Pesetas on hull failure before they reached the high end of internal drive.”
“So, they need us,” Iska Maricor stated hopefully. “We can threaten to withhold repairs.”
“We only need half our crew members to complete the repairs,” Ryo warned. “We know that and Commodore Oskari knows it. What do you suppose he’ll do with the other half to force us to make the repairs?”
“Let me guess,” Docto
r Marikit sneered. “It includes being dealt with severely.”
“We need to either allow their shuttles to land and let them take the base,” Luz offered. “Or we deny them and eat their missiles.”
“That’s not an option,” Ryo responded. “They still need us for the repairs. They’ll hit us enough to disable our defenses then land.”
“And we sacrifice half the base and our crews to prove a point,” whined Iska. “I say let them have the base. At least some of us will survive.”
“I can see the net announcement. Salvage base under new management,” Ryo said. “Only Empress warships and pirates need enter orbit. Until the Galactic Council Navy arrives to remove them. Then the moon becomes a battlefield and we become collateral damage.”
“I don’t see a satisfactory solution either,” admitted Luz. “We are moon dust in any case. Let’s send their engineers a comprehensive repair analysis with an emphasis on structural requirements. Along with an aggressive schedule.”
“What good will that do?” questioned Iska.
“It’ll show them our value and point out the seriousness of their situation,” Ryo explained. “It’s our one and only negotiating point.”
“One point isn’t much to work with,” commented Iska Maricor. “A hammer without an anvil is unable to forge an agreement.”
For supervisors who managed mechanics, shipwrights, machinists and electronic technicians, the analogy was frighteningly accurate. They had been so preoccupied with the discussion, the hard rap on the glass door surprised them. Looking up, they saw Master Sergeant Alberich. Behind her, shipwright Candela held a pistol on a tall woman with dark hair.
“What now?” Iska asked in disgust. Then he pressed the speaker button. “What can we do for you Diosa?”
“I have someone you need to meet,” Warlock said while jerking a thumb over her shoulder.
“Captain Ritva has already told me about Miss Kealan,” Iska said his voice coming from the speaker. “Why do we need to meet a spy claiming to be a Major. Ritva didn’t believe her, why should we?”
“Because Enyd Kealan isn’t a Major in the Soldiers of the Empress,” Diosa explained. “She’s a Constabulary Major and a Traveler.”
“What’s a Traveler and why should we care?” inquired Iska.
“Major Kealan is a descendant of those exiled with the Empress,” Diosa replied. “If it hasn’t dawned on you yet, Enyd Kealan is a big deal to the Empress.”
“An anvil,” mumbled Ryo.
“A what?” asked Iska not having heard the supervisor clearly.
“The Marine has just brought us an anvil,” Ryo stated. “Open the door. I believe Master Sergeant Alberich has earned a seat at the table.”
Chapter -19 An Outcome in Doubt
“Is she that valuable to the Empress?” question Iska.
“Travelers are Constabulary officers. There aren’t that many of them,” Diosa said as she settled her armored hips between the arms of a chair at the conference table and rested her helmet on the polished surface. “As descendants of the original exiles, Travelers are loyal to the Empress. Plus, they know how to control the Troops.”
“Controlling troops? Good officers should be able to control the troops under them,” suggested Ryo. “Even Captain Ritva, as much as I hate to admit it, was in command of his men.”
“Constabulary Troops come from a tribe in a different galaxy,” Diosa said telling a half truth. “They are big men, fearless, and only take orders from Travelers. Major Enyd Kealan is worth more to the Constabulary than two or three divisions of Empress soldiers.”
“We can trade her to make the Enara go away,” ventured Iska. “If she’s as valuable as you say.”
“What is an Enara?” asked Diosa.
“The Empress warship about to drop into orbit is the El Enara Loco,” Luz told her. “Under the command of Commodore Oskari. And it won’t go away. Not with the damages to her structure.”
“It seems to me, we repair the Enara and hold Major Kealan as a hostage,” Luz offered. “Once we complete the operation, we send her up as a parting gift.”
“And their gift to us is a bouquet of missiles,” added Ryo. “There has to be a middle ground.”
“There is one possibility,” suggested Diosa. But she didn’t expand on her announcement.
“Well Master Sergeant, are you going to let us in on the secret?” Iska inquired.
“Of course. However, I have a condition,” she replied. “The very thought of repairing a Constabulary warship hurts my heart. It’s so distasteful, I threw up a little in my mouth at the very idea.”
“We get it. Repairing the Enara makes you sick,” Iska blurted out. “But we have a base full of Realm citizens that need to be protected. Where do you stand on that, Master Sergeant?”
“I stand by the oath I swore years ago,” Diosa replied. “I will support and defend the Galactic Council Realm against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. In this case, your crews, citizens of the Realm, are the only reason I spoke up.”
“What is your condition?” inquired Ryo.
“You place a transmitter in the hull of the Constabulary warship,” she explained. “Set it to go active when the ship drops out of external drive.”
Luz, Sota and Maricor exchanged glances waiting for one of them to speak up. Doctor Marikit leaned back, crossed her arms and nodded her agreement.
“That will assure the Enara is located by the Galactic Council Navy,” Iska stated.
“Why yes, yes it will,” Diosa said with a smile.
“We’ll do it. A transmitter inserted between the hull plating won’t be difficult,” Ryo announced. “Now, how do we save salvage base?”
This time it was Diosa who glanced at Luz, Sota and Maricor. As if mindreading, she stared at each of the bases’ managers. Finally, she reached a decision and pointed at Pablo Luz.
“Pablo and I will talk with Major Kealan, alone,” Diosa instructed. “Doctor. Ryo. Please go to the other side of the command center. Captain Maricor, invite the Major in, then go join them.”
“As the Captain of Salvage Moon, I should be involved in the negotiations,” complained Iska.
“You are a dear boy and smart too. And I would definitely date you,” Diosa purred while winking at Maricor. “Except, that smell. Have you bathed recently? Because, you stink!”
“I what? Who do you think you’re talking to? I am the manager of this base. I am more educated, more refined and more cultured than, than a murderer like you,” yelled Iska.
Diosa looked at Pablo and canted her head to the side as if waiting for something. The supervisor had his hand over his mouth to hide the grin which threatened to break out into outright laughter.
“Should I explain it to the Captain?” Ryo asked Pablo.
Luz confirmed with a shake of his head. He didn’t trust himself to speak yet.
“Captain Maricor. Master Sergeant Alberich just demonstrated how personal and ugly the negotiations are going to be,” Ryo explained. “And by your defensive reaction, you tipped your hand and attempted to win by bullying her. I think we can all agree, this isn’t your type of debate.”
“Come on Iska. Walk with me,” offered Doctor Marikit taking Iska’s arm and guiding him away from the conference table.
“How do you want her brought in?” inquired Ryo.
“Give her a big smile then turn and glare at me,” answered Diosa. Then to Luz. “Explain the trouble with the Enara and how much work it’ll take to get it space worthy. Go heavy on details.”
“And what will you be doing?” inquired Pablo
“Me? I’m going to kill her,” Diosa replied.
***
Enyd Kealan, escorted by Ryo, arrived at the table in time to see the shocked look on Pablo’s face.
The muscular man ignored Enyd for a few seconds as he scowled at the Master Sergeant. It made the Traveler happy to see someone displeased with Alberich. Then th
e man noticed her and stood.
“Please. Major Kealan, take a seat,” he said holding the chair for her. “My name is Pablo Luz, I’m a supervisor here on salvage base.”
“Thank you, Pablo,” Enyd replied with a flirtatious smile. “It’s nice to know there is a gentleman on the base.”
“I wanted to speak with you about the El Enara Loco, the Empress warship about to enter orbit,” Luz said. “Allow me to make you more comfortable.”
Pablo snapped open a folding knife and sliced through the tie binding Enyd’s wrists. The Constabulary officer rubbed them to increase the circulation and dipped her head in appreciation. Warlock frowned.
“Yes, of course. Go ahead,” Enyd urged. She leaned towards Pablo and rested a hand on his thick forearm. “Tell me.”
“Save your breath,” advised Warlock. “She’s not going to live long enough to care.”
Enyd jerked her hand back and reached for her hip, then stopped. Although she didn’t have a weapon, she didn’t need one as Pablo came to her defense.
“Master Sergeant. Need I remind you that you are here as a... You know, I’m not sure why you are here?” Luz questioned.
“Because supervisor, Kealan is my prisoner,” shot back Warlock. “You wanted her knowledge and I’m allowing this interview.”
“Then keep your mouth shut and let me talk,” he replied.
Enyd smiled at Pablo’s language and Warlock waved a dismissive hand in his direction.
“The Enara is in bad shape. They have five compartments open to space. The surrounding support beams are bent and may separate before the ship evolves to exterior drive. In other words, the Enara is restricted to interior drive,” Pablo explained. He slid a screen over and pointed to the damaged areas. “We need to know which of these are critical for the operation of the ship and which are part of its weapon systems.”
“You’d fix the Constabulary’s ship and make allowances for their weapons?” challenged Warlock as she pulled the pistol from her holster. “You are a traitor. I should shoot you both right here, right now.”
Enyd jerked back but Pablo slammed his hands on the table and thrust his face forward.
Op File Treason Page 16