“That is very astute, Igaklay. Yes, that is the idea.”
“There is an administrative pyramid close to the spaceport. It was originally used by a wealthy trader.”
“Perfect. Vice-Admiral can have his own little castle to sit in while he rules his fiefdom.”
“Shall I reroute the transport to the Space Palace when the Odin crew come down, Commander?”
“Ha, ha, Igaklay. Yes, drop Weiskoff and the bridge crew off at the Space Palace. But don’t call it that. Call it, let me see, the Federacy Remote Command.”
“Weiskoff will like that, Krag. The Federacy Remote Command.”
“Shall I make a sign with that on it, Commander? I can have it done within the hour.”
“By all means, Igaklay. Let me know when you finish. Then, when the Vice-Admiral arrives, our prestigious Interstellar Ambassador can show Weiskoff his new center of power.”
“Thanks a lot, Oh Commander. You get to handle the HEB Alliance fleet.”
“It needs a better name. Something that carries some gravitas. And stays with the HEB Alliance concept.”
“HEB Alliance Merchant Fleet? Keiko recommended.
“HEBA Merchant Fleet it is.”
“Someday, someone is going to want their ships back.”
”That’s a job for you, Ambassador,” Krag said with a wink. “When we get Buster and Vidhee together, you three can review the Federacy laws concerning abandoned vessels and salvage. Put something together which should satisfy everyone concerned.”
“And Igaklay. We should review Elonian and Ballison laws, not just the Federacy ones. Another thought. To avoid political war, we should base the HEB Alliance here on Ballison.”
“Hear that, Igaklay?”
“Yes! I get a new fleet to monitor!”
“Change of topic. Igaklay, could you link Fairstar and Gazelle, please?”
“You rang, Hawk?”
“Yeah, Addy. Hornet, are you there?”
“Online, Hawk.”
“Griffin and the Mortek cruiser have arrived at Ballison. More Mortek ships and the Atlantius hulls are trickling in. It’s going to take some time to get them battle-ready. And get crews up to speed.”
“We’re ready to deliver the forty-nine androids, Commander.”
“Before you sail, get with Major Wilson, Addy. He has two crews organized and ready for assignment. Go ahead and bring them in.”
“How many?”
“Approximately two hundred.”
“It will be tight. Do they have their nanite injections?”
“Nope.”
“We should have enough floor space. We’ll get it done.”
“While we upgrade our ships, we’re in a wait state. I think that we all need a break. When you bring Fairstar to Ballison, prepare for some downtime. Hornet, why don’t you and your Stingers do the same?”
“What about that fleet in Bridgelen?”
“We keep an eye on them. At first, you set up a scouting rotation with the Stingers. As we get more ships up and running, we work them into the rotation. Pass the responsibility over to Weiskoff. This will give his crews some practice.”
“You know that Number Three is going to grab Heimdallr for that. Poor Scotty. Good plan, Hawk.”
“Addy, you’ll need to make a few runs. But, when we get Jewel of the Stars back, she’ll take over the transport duties.”
“I’m in. where’s Jewel now?”
Still at Cencore. I’m going to have her shuttle troops from Tolimar over to Cencore. That’s going to take a while.
“Good. See you all in two days.”
“Out, Hawk.”
“I have disconnected the links, Commander.”
“Thank you, Igaklay. Let’s go home.”
“I’m with you, Big-Guy.”
v v v
It took only four hours for the Odin bridge crew and many of the Odin crewmates to awaken from their jump-induced sleep. During that time, the crew and military arm of Griffin relaxed in their Ballison quarters or, in the case of the Elonians, reconnected with their families and friends. For those brief four hours, the nightmare of war faded into the past. For those brief four hours, the Griffin crewmates remembered what life was before the Mortek invasion.
“Commander, the transport is on approach to the Federacy Remote Command.”
“Thank you, Igaklay. Keiko, shall we?”
“Do we have to?”
“Duty, Ambassador. Duty.”
Now being the designated pilot of all things Griffin, Keiko took the pilot’s chair while Krag took the co-pilot’s. After receiving the space port coordinates from Igaklay and a short jump, Keiko settled the shuttle next to the large housing pyramid sitting along one edge of the array of landing pads.
Just as she powered down the shuttle, Igaklay’s transport floated down and landed.
Krag and Keiko left the shuttle. Nine Odin bridge crew members, plus Captain Brewer, Lieutenant Clarke and Vice-Admiral Weiskoff, exited the transport. The two Griffin Medical Specialists followed. Everyone met at the large, silvery arch covering the entrance to a short walk leading to a small, smooth-sided, silvery pyramid.
Everyone looked up and read the caption in dark, Federacy-blue letters, ‘Federacy Remote Command’.
“This is my new headquarters?”
“For the time being, Vice-Admiral,” Krag responded. “When it is feasible, you will be able to transfer your command back to Cencore.”
“Show me what you’ve got.”
As Weiskoff made the order, a single-person explorer ship blinked into existence and landed. Igaklay popped open the hatched and hopped out.
“Preceptor, what are you doing here?”
“I thought that you might need some help getting the crew members settled in, Commander.”
“What about Buster?”
“Buster’s transfer has been completed, Commander. Dame Srilin and Mz. Benton are performing final cognitive tests.”
“You’re keeping an eye on them?”
“Every neural spark, Commander. Buster is my friend. I will not let anything go wrong.”
“Nice Touch, Igaklay. The blue.”
“I am just aiming to please, Commander. Aiming to keep Vice-Admiral Weiskoff happy.”
“Vice-Admiral, with your permission, please allow Preceptor Igaklay and Ambassador Suzume to present you your living quarters and their operations.”
“Go ahead.”
Igaklay looked at Krag. Krag cocked a brow. The same look passed between Krag and Keiko, acknowledging Weiskoff’s continuing disdain.
“Guardsman Suraya, Corpsman Faheem, you may wait in the shuttle. You’ve been through the show-and-tell before.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
The two flashed scowls at Weiskoff as they escaped to the shuttle. Walking away, Suraya gave an extra tail flick. Krag and Keiko saw the gesture and supressed their snickers.
Igaklay led everyone under the archway and approached the blank, slanted wall of the pyramid.
An aperture irised. The twelve new visitors to Ballison blinked in surprise.
“Vice-Admiral, if you would follow me?”
Keiko gestured towards the opening and stepped through.
Leading them inside, Keiko explained the operations and Igaklay showed them wonder after wonder as the two got the twelve settled into their new living and command spaces.
Krag held back, staying at the rear. Letting Keiko and Igaklay lead, he let his mind wander, planning on the next moves toward taking back Humanity’s space, protecting the remaining lives.
The tour and education ended. Naturally, Weiskoff commandeered the very top of the pyramid, the penthouse. He assigned his adjunct to the floor just below, ordering that most of it would be reserved for his personal office staff. Third from the top became the bridge crew quarters. The ground floor became Weiskoff’s administration.
Krag watched Keiko expertly handle the political and territorial games Weiskoff kept tryin
g to play. He watched her pretend to be dominated, controlled in Weiskoff’s drive to establish his position of power. Krag hid his smile and enjoyment.
“Where are the quarters for my crews?”
Krag and Keiko noted that Weiskoff still wouldn’t acknowledge her title.
“We have a town a short distance from here. It can house up to twenty thousand people. The plan is to house the HEB Alliance Merchant Fleet and the Federacy Fleet personnel there.”
“HEB Alliance Merchant Fleet?”
Krag interrupted. “Yes, Vice-Admiral. Under the Federacy laws concerning abandoned vessels and salvage, the HEB Alliance has laid claim to the fifty-one hulls abandoned in Atlantius.”
“Under the Federacy War Powers Act, they are under my command, Marston.”
“And, under conflict, they will be.”
“Commander?” Krag heard through his implant.
“Yes, Igaklay?”
“Dame Srilin and Mz. Benton report that Buster has passed all testing. He is ready to resume his responsibilities.”
“Excellent. Have Buster join us in the conference lounge at HEBA H.Q. Contact Mack and Tribune Ambakai. We’ll have a small celebration.”
“A Party! Yes! I will get everything organized!”
Everyone saw Krag freeze for a minute. Keiko knew that Krag was in communication with Igaklay. The rest just stood in confusion.
“Sorry for the interruption, Gentlemen. As I was saying, Vice-Admiral. The HEB Alliance Merchant Fleet is at your disposal during training and conflict. The rest of its time will be its own.”
“This discussion isn’t over, Marston. For now, just show me the rest of this pyramid.”
Krag followed the tour for another thirty minutes and saw it wind down. Finally, the twelve Odin crewmates stood around on the ground floor, antsy to get to the configuring of their quarters.
“Vice-Admiral, I think that this sums up your introduction to Ballisonian technology. Ambassador Suzume, Preceptor Igaklay and I have been requested for a conference. Are you and your people familiar enough with the operations of this pyramid?”
“Yes, yes. It is very alien tech, but we will be able to operate it. I will call you if I need you. Dismissed.”
Keiko slightly dropped her head but refrained from shaking it in disgust at Weiskoff’s continued show of disrespect.
Krag led, Keiko and Igaklay followed, leaving Weiskoff and his bridge crew to their own devices. Igaklay headed to his single-seater. Reaching Griffin’s shuttle, Krag and Keiko entered, again with Keiko taking the pilot’s chair. Per now the norm, Keiko’s jump was short and precise. After landing beside the HEBA H.Q., everyone, including the two Medical Specialists, piled out and headed into the pyramid. Krag, Keiko and Igaklay angled towards the lounging area. Suraya and Faheem headed towards the gravity lift.
Just as they settled in, the wall irised again. Mistress Analyn, Sir Mahajani and Vidhee entered. Keiko rose, rushed over and hugged her Elonian friend.
“Keiko, welcome back.”
“I am so glad to be home. How are you, Anyl? Sir Mahajani, how are you?”
The large bodyguard briefly smiled in return. “I am fine, Ambassador.”
“Hello, Honorable Vidhee.” Keiko bowed a slight bow.
“Ambassador Suzume.” The Elonian Synthetic returned the acknowledgement.
“Come. Sit. We are waiting for Buster’s arrival.”
The three followed Keiko. Sir Mahajani remained standing, hand on hilt, while Analyn and Vidhee sat in the comfortable chairs. By now, no one was surprised at Vidhee’s very human actions. They all turned to the gravity lift as the door slid open and Mack stepped out. They waited while Mack crossed the expanse of the huge pyramid’s base.
Finally arriving, Mack began, “Iggy tells me that we’re having a party. Why don’t we all have pints? Nibbles?”
“Just wait, Mack” Igaklay commanded.
As he spoke, a cluster of robots floated from the replicators, carrying trays of various drinks and foods. Silver nanites swarmed from the wall. tables formed. The nanites returned. Everyone watched as the robots placed their trays on the tables.
“Okay, Iggy. I spoke too soon.”
Mack was the first to grab a frothy glass of dark liquid. Krag followed. Then the rest. After building plates of finger foods, all six sat back and waited for Buster’s arrival.
“Krag, shouldn’t we invite the Leopards?”
“Leopards, Keiko?”
“That’s what Tribune Ambakai and Sergeant Boulos have named their squads, Anyl.”
“That is very fitting. Noble hunters. Do you wish that I contact Tribune Ambakai?”
“Please.”
Analyn performed the freeze, unfreeze.
“They are coming down immediately.”
As Analyn spoke, the wall again irised. In walked a large, wide, silver-skinned man. Long arms ending in worker’s hands swung in time to the strides of his long legs and large feet.
A shock of wavy, silvery hair covered his head. The eyebrows bore the same, silver coloring. Golden irises encircled dark pupils. He wore the same nanite-formed, dark blue, flight suit that Sue had grown so fond of. Like Sue’s suit, the Griffin patch adorned one shoulder.
Dame Srilin and Sue followed. Wide, toothless smiles stretched their faces.
“Buster?”
“Hello, Captain.”
Vidhee rose first. Approaching the seven-foot-tall, humanistic android, she took Buster’s hands in her metallic paws. For the briefest of moments, the two froze. By this time, everyone else had stood up.
“Look at you, Tinman. Aren’t you the cat’s pajamas. I’m liking your look.”
“Thank you, Wrenchy.”
“I see where you got the face, Buster. You do know that the Duke wasn’t that tall, Right?”
“Yes, Captain. However, I saw how Sir Mahajani intimidated with just his size. I thought that it would be useful in the future.”
“Why silver, Buster? I thought that you didn’t want to be looked upon as an inferior.”
Buster answered by standing still. Nanites swarmed up. Every exposed area of his silver skin became a tanned flesh color. As the nanites continued to flow, his hair and eyebrows became a rich auburn. The gold eyes remained unchanged.
“Vidhee has chosen to retain her synthetic appearance because she is proud of being a Synthetic. From her, I have also learned to be proud of being a synthetic. So, I have chosen metallic silver to be my natural color. However, I do understand that, to blend in, so to speak, I need to look normal at times.”
“Being every bit of seven feet and flashing those golden peeps, you will never be looking normal, Tinman.”
Buster paused and the nanites flowed back into their concealed pouches. Once again, Buster stood as the seven-foot, silver Synthetic that he had become.
That is very well thought out, Buster. Is this shell as tough as the last one?”
“More so, Commander. Although this is the same structure as a human body, with its seven functioning systems, everything is constructed from much tougher material. For lack of a better descriptor, think of this body as being constructed with rigid and flexible reidite.”
“Oy, Tinman. Ya be saying that you’re now tough as diamonds?”
“Almost. With more capabilities.”
The door to the gravity lift slid open. Six Elonian Guardsmen and four Sasanian Marines exited then curiously approached the seven-foot, silver human wearing the Griffin uniform.
“Tribune, Sergeant, meet the new Buster.”
“Legate!”
The ten snapped to attention and saluted. Buster returned the salute.
“At least you didn’t add a tail, Sir.”
“Maybe the next time, Sergeant.”
“Your new android is very impressive, Legate Buster.”
“Thank you, Tribune.”
“Buster, when you are fleshed, you need at least two names.”
“I have been thinking about that, Amba
ssador. Since I duplicated his facial features, I thought that I would pay homage. I was thinking that a last name of ‘Morris’ would be appropriate.”
“Buster Morris. I like it.”
“I thought you might, Commander.”
“Now that the gang’s all here, we need to start organizing this war. Gentle beings, please grab refreshments. We have some planning to do.”
Chapter 23
Aboard Heimdallr - Atlantius
Three Heimdallr crewmates forlornly sat, staring at hull number fifty-one. The small transport had taken a longer-than-usual time to locate. Captain Scott didn’t know if that was due to his crew’s unwillingness to return to the Federacy fold of if that ship didn’t want to be found. But they finally found it.
“Cap, I think that we should pretend that we are still looking for more hulls.”
“No, Brooksy. Duty calls.”
“More like Number Three calls.”
“One and the same, Toast.
“Maybe we could ask Commander Marston to put in a request for reassignment, get us assigned to the Stingers.”
“How well do you think that would go over with Vice-Admiral Weiskoff?”
“Lead balloon?”
“You got it. Let’s tag our wayward ship. Then, we take a couple of days to get Heimdallr squared away.”
Both Torres and Brooks knew that Captain Scott had just given them a two-day reprieve. They also knew that, with their returning to the Federacy, their lives were no longer their own.
Aboard Griffin – Tolimar
Jumping into Tolimar space no longer held the fear and anxiety of the past. When Keiko jumped Griffin to her target point, she sat back, at peace and relaxed. The rest of Griffin’s crew also sat, relaxed and comfortable. Krag leaned forward and took in the view of the marble planet basking in the Tolimar sun’s light.
“Igaklay, please contact Mariella and Moonshot.”
“Hey, Hawk. I hear that we’re supposed to call you ‘Commander Marston’, now.”
“Only in front of the Federacy folks, Angela. Marty, you with us?”
“All ears, Commander Marston.”
“Ha, ha. How is our lost sheep doing?”
“Being a good little Mortek Cruiser, Hawk. We’ve had some conversations with First Cruiser. He says that his people are fine.”
Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6) Page 25