Galactic freighter scour.., p.21
Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact), page 21
"But you should understand what I will do to you if you do not give me those who killed our prince. I will shoot you where you stand. Make no mistake about it." Buck's resolute voice apparently got through to the man.
"Seems I can't win."
"The names, Captain." Buck waved the blaster menacingly.
Buck listened and commed the killers identities to Tommy and the engineer responded with the men's billet locations.
"Lock the Captain's hatch when I leave." Buck stepped through the opening into the passageway leaving the dejected, angry captain, and again commed Tommy. "Give me some directions."
Buck turned a corner and found himself confronted with six men.
He ordered them to stop.
Faced with the giant, most did.
One tried to tackle Buck and got a fist to the back of his head ending the effort.
Buck commed Tommy for directions to the nearest broom locker.
Carrying their unconscious comrade, the six squeezed into the utility room, and Buck dogged it shut.
Fifteen minutes and down four flights of ladders, Buck reached the crew bunk area. He keyed the intercom and with the three names ordered the men forward.
Nothing happened.
Buck told the crewmen nothing would happen to them if they surrendered the three.
It took the better part of thirty minutes, until the comm came alive. "Can we get some food and water?" asked a voice.
"Give me the three men now," Buck's voice boomed. "Otherwise, you all die." He turned at the noise as Rasby appeared.
"Toss in a stun grenade," Buck said.
The SEAL commed Tommy to open the hatch for two seconds and then lock it.
"That's just the openers. The next grenade will be shrapnel," Buck said.
His comm came alive. "Minister, I'm monitoring the radio traffic. Gittin' some activity dirtside. They may be onto us," Tommy said.
"Tommy, something's going on in the crew quarters, can you check on it?"
"Sounds like a fight, Captain."
Seconds later, the intercom buzzed. "You can take them. All three."
Buck ordered the men to stand clear and opened the hatch. Rasby stuck the barrel of his flechette rifle through the tiny opening to discourage any aggressive response.
Wrestling the three bound men, Buck and Rasby headed toward the waiting pinnace.
Buck called for Mirabelle and Brenna and got no response. Buck again commed for the doctor.
"Lord Fryman," said Brenna. "In the ship."
Buck bolted for the hatch. Inside, he stopped. Mirabelle lay on the deck.
"What happened?" Buck pushed back the building rage and knelt beside the gravely wounded doctor.
"Two men broke in and shot her," Brenna cradled the woman and nodded at a body a few meters away. "I shot one of the bastards. The guy that shot her ran."
Mirabelle's eyes opened and she motioned Buck to lean close.
Her voice barely audible she managed, "Buck, tell Sebastian he's the only man I ever truly loved." Her eyes closed.
Buck motioned to one of his Marines. "Put her in one of the bunks."
"She's dead, Sir."
"Gawdammit, do as I say. And treat her gently." Buck wanted, needed, to hit something but stifled an urge to slug the man for his comment.
The crewman cradled the doctor and slowly made his way along the passageway and Brenna followed still holding her friend's hand.
At least one Teutonic crewman was loose and not concerned with whom he shot.
Buck set his blaster on full power. "Tommy, can you tell me if any of these hatches have been opened."
"Gimme a minite."
"Yeah, cabin five. Some slick bastard jimmied the thing. Whatcha want me to do?"
"Unlock it and make sure it stays that way," Buck said. His words sounded like death.
A few minutes later, he was at the cabin. "Buck, don't go in there alone," Tommy said in his no nonsense voice. It was the only time the engineer had used his first name since the elevation to lord.
"The son of a bitch is mine, Tommy."
Buck made sure all the dogs were clear. Standing to one side of the opening, he kicked the hatch driving it centimeters back on its hinges.
Laser fire ricocheted off the partly open steel panel, narrowly missing Buck. "You bastard, you're going to stand trial for murder." Killing him wasn't good enough. This guy had to see, and feel, every nuance as people sentenced him to die. Buck tasted his anger and didn't particularly like himself at that moment, but the brutal, uncaring murder of Mirabelle soured him even more.
More laser fire was the answer.
Buck tossed two stun grenades through the hatch and dove through into the cabin, his blaster, now on its lowest setting, sprayed the room with continuous fire.
Instantly on his feet, he heard the rifle strike the deck and raced toward the man who was downed but still moving, trying to reach his weapon.
One of Buck’s giant fists hit the man's head, stopping any further attempt. He dragged the now-tied man along the steel deck to the pinnace.
"Everyone here?" Buck asked.
"All but Tommy," someone responded.
"I'm on my way. Jist makin' sure I got this tub fixed the way I want," the engineer said over the comm.
"We lost two men," Ivan said. "They're aboard."
"Let's get the hell out of here," Buck said a bit anxiously. They had been lucky—so far—and he wasn't about to push it.
He commed Forager and ordered it to send a shuttle and come along side Teutonic. Connor, in Mulholland, was to go on high orbit and prepare to space when Forager joined up. It would take Teutonic's crew weeks to get the ship space worthy—once they got loose.
Ignoring repeated warnings from the orbit master, Forager's shuttle entered Teutonic's bay. With Mirabelle and the two dead marines aboard they returned to the mother ship and, along with Mulholland, spaced for Iona.
Chapter Twenty-Seven:
Sebastian
"How can I ever repay you?" the Emperor asked Buck. "The bastards will stand trial. Something they didn't give Victor or Mirabelle."
To the Emperor's question, Buck related how they'd pulled off taking the Teutonic.
"Unorthodox, to say the least but, Lord Fryman, you've done it again."
"My Emperor, Tommy Simms is responsible for this hare-brained scheme. I take no credit." Buck had said this before but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Actually, most people, mostly Tommy, said all he did was come with ideas. Buck had made his schemes work.
"If memory serves, you said he also cooked up the plot to recapture the Blue Marlin."
Buck recalled that a driver had said that Sebastian was very intelligent and decided he could add his recall to the description.
"Yes, Sir. If I might suggest an accolade should be directed to him." Buck smiled.
"What would you suggest, Buck?"
"A knighthood. Make him a Knight of the Realm."
"Sir Tommy." Sebastian rubbed his chin. "I rather like it."
"Set it up, please." Sebastian touched an icon on his desk and read the message. "The Queen calls. I made her a promise in a weak moment and now must pay the price." He paused for a moment. "I was sorry to learn Mirabelle died. Dr. Giddings was very special and capable woman. I understand Brenna Smith, I think is her name, killed one of the murderers." He glanced at Buck and from the look the freighters face asked, "Did Mirabelle have any words?"
"Yes My Liege. It's very personal."
Sebastian raised his head. "We were lovers shortly after I took the throne." Buck knew Sebastian and Mirabelle's tryst happened before he married—as had his.
"Mirabelle's last words were that you were the only man she ever loved.
"My Emperor, those words will never pass my lips again." Buck didn't tell Sebastian about his own tryst with Mirabelle on Borcom. That would remain his secret.
Sebastian nodded and thanked Buck. "We are saddened by what happened. Your decision to bring Mirabelle's killer to trial for her murder was the right one."
"What about Captain Connor? Any suggestions regarding him?"
"Sire, when Seltsam joins the empire, it wouldn't hurt to have a symbol of royal presence on the planet. I suggest a knighthood for Captain Connor as well. It would give Seltsam a royal presence."
"I like the idea," the Emperor agreed, thanked Buck and headed for the rear office door and his queen.
Buck appreciated the comment. Mirabelle was special to him as well. He bowed, and backed from Sebastian's office concerned with the Emperor. His thoughts turned to Tommy and how he would take the news. He had no idea what was required to knight someone.
Stepping into the Emperor's secretary's office, he told the man his problem and got assurances that knighting was a task routinely handled. Buck breathed a sigh of relief.
Exiting the palace, he entered his private aircar and commed the Lord High Admiral Hizerman. "How goes the war, Admiral?"
Buck received a brief rundown and it wasn't good. Mahoney had disappeared and Intelligence had no idea what might come next. He then commed Tommy. "Need to see you. Got time to come to my office?"
Tommy agreed to be there that afternoon.
Buck relaxed.
Routine filled the ensuing hours until Buck's secretary chimed, "Mr. Simms is here."
Dressed in a two-piece blue suit, Tommy strode into the office. They shook hands and took seats.
"I like it," Buck said giving his friend the once over. "Tommy, you have served your Emperor faithfully. Sebastian believes your contributions deserve the proper recognition and I agree. Not that my approval is required."
Warily, Tommy eyed his friend. "Buck, I got this feelin' that you're fixin' ta do somethin' that I ain't gonna like." His natural suspicion and years around the man was justified.
"Not so my friend. Have I ever done you wrong? Maybe you shouldn't answer that." Both men laughed.
Then, Tommy's facial expression changed, and clearly showed uneasiness at what might come next.
Buck, his smile fixed, standing, leaned on his desk. "The Emperor has decided to knight you for service to the realm."
Tommy gave a quiet snicker and looked out the window, his expression never changing. "Okay, why'd ya ask me over hyere? I got the time, but ya got more important things ta do than jerk me around."
Buck stood, walked from behind the desk, and stopped a few meters from Tommy’s chair. "I'm serious Tommy. Your service, schemes, call them what you want, have twice made a difference. So much so that the kingdom's policies, future, if you will, have changed course. I completely agree with the Emperor's decision. If anyone deserves the honor, it is you, my friend."
Tommy shook his head. "Do we have ta tell about it? Ya know, keep it quiet."
"Afraid of what your friends will say, are you? I know the feeling. I had the same problem."
He pulled a chair beside Tommy and sat. "What other people think is important but remember the people know Sebastian. He never does anything like this unless truly merited. Friends know that. Those, who try to make fun of it, you can still kick the shit out of them. And I'll be there for you if there's more than you can handle."
The two shook hands. "It'll take some gettin' used to." Tommy knew that to refuse would insult Sebastian and that he wouldn't do. As Buck expected, Tommy said he'd demand those who mattered call him Tommy as they always had. It was a threat as much a concession.
Buck assured his friend someone would school him on the manner and responsibilities of a Knight of the Realm.
***
One month later, the Emperor's crier, standing at the back of the room, stepped forward, "Your Majesty, Thomas Arthur Simms, freighter, answers your summons." Tommy, standing next to Buck, well up front of the assembled, dressed in a dark blue formal suit stepped before Sebastian and knelt.
Sebastian placed his broadsword to first one shoulder then the other and said, "I dub thee, Sir Thomas Simms, Knight of the Realm. Arise and accept the congratulations of your peers."
A steward stepped forward and placed a sash across Tommy's chest laced with the gold family crest he had chosen.
Tommy turned and faced the audience. After the applause died, he stepped aside.
Again, the crier said, "Your Majesty, Commander Donald Fielding Rasby of his Majesty's SEALs answers your summons."
Standing at the back of the room, Brenna Smith at his side, Donald Rasby strode forward and bowed. Sebastian took a medallion from a pillow carried by an aide. "Commander Donald Rasby, The Order of Merit for extraordinary service at Barnard's Star. This shall be noted in the annals of the kingdom."
Rasby bowed and joined Tommy and Buck.
Then to everyone's surprise, the crier called for Brenna Nicole Smith to present herself before the Emperor.
Astounded at hearing her name, her hand covered the involuntary gasp that escaped. Not knowing why, or what to expect, and confused, maybe dumbfounded, Brenna cautiously approached the Emperor and bowed. She looked up; her eyes clearly betrayed her angst.
"Lord Fryman told us of your extraordinary courage in assisting, making possible the capture of Prince Victor's killers at Barnard's Star, and attempting to save Doctor Mirabelle Giddings. Accordingly, we have created a new title to add to the distinguished names of those who have served the realm. From this day forward, you shall be received as Lady of the Realm." An aid stepped forward and hung a delicate gold necklace with a large emerald centered on the Emperor's crest around her neck. She turned and faced the group to their applause.
Sebastian walked from the dais through a door as Buck embraced the three honorees and they accepted congratulations from the assembled.
Afterwards, Buck returned to his office.
"The Emperor wants to see you," Bethany said.
"I just came from there. He said nothing about a meeting," Buck said as taking off his coat.
Bethany Silvers had been in the job for one week. His former secretary had taken a leave of absence to care for her ailing husband.
Buck had grown accustomed to the raucous behavior of her predecessor and found this one's subdued manners disquieting. Molly recognized that all the years as a freighter had accustomed him to less than polite surroundings. She assured him he could and would adjust. "Just be patient with the woman."
"Any idea what it concerns?" he asked.
Quietly, she said no and closed the door. In the past, from his previous assistant, a comment like, think I should ask the Emperor? Would have been the response but not with this reticent woman.
Buck called for his aircar, wrestled back into his coat, and headed for the palace.
Sebastian, Iona's Foreign Minister, ambassadors from Alexandria and the Federation were having coffee when he arrived. He bowed to the Emperor, shook hands with the men, and sat, accepting a cup. The steward bowed and left.
"The gene, gentlemen. We need to resolve how we are to introduce it. Actually, what we decide here will affect the entire galaxy."
Buck didn't ask why he was there; he knew but had no idea how to introduce the gene let alone the best or proper way.
A lively discussion followed during which he kept quiet.
It ended with the decision to call a meeting of all Federation worlds to meet on Galactica and offer the secret to everyone at the same time.
"Lord Fryman, It would mean a great deal if you accompanied me to Galactica," said the Ionian Foreign Minister.
Surprised by the request, Buck said, "Sorry, Minister. I have a company that needs attention and as you know I've been off world for some time and they don't run themselves." He added, "A to spend some time with to as well. Certain events have kept me away from both." He didn't add, far too long. By ‘events,’ Buck meant running down the prince's killers.
The Minister remained persistent, as if toying with Buck. The visiting ambassadors exchanged surprised glances and moved off to the side.
"Telling the rest of the galaxy of this seems a matter left to those best suited for such and that leaves me out," said Buck with finality. He had never cared for the foreign minister's high-handedness. His manner was dictatorial and always adversarial.
Buck’s response was short, curt. "There's nothing my presence would add."
"Quite the contrary," the man retorted. What he left unsaid were the accolades that would come to Buck and thus to the Foreign Minister.
"I must insist you find someone else. I am needed here." This was true. Buck had been away from Iona for over six T-months. The business and ministry were important and needed his attention. More than anything, his two sons were growing at a prodigious rate and he wanted time with them and Molly.
Sebastian cleared his throat. "Perhaps a break is in order. Let's reconvene in, say one hour."
Buck was the first to bow and leave. Sebastian invited the others to join him in his arboretum.
As Buck passed through the secretary's office, the small man said, "Lord Fryman, may I join you join for a walk?"
Buck suspected Sebastian anticipated a problem and had the man monitoring the talks. This had to be at Emperor's urging.
"Yes, please. It would be my pleasure."
As they casually strolled down the hallway, the Secretary asked, "Have you ever traveled with the Minister?"
An odd question Buck thought. "No. I've never had reason and frankly, don't care to."
"You're very forthright with your answer."
"Does the Emperor have a preference?" asked Buck.
"He would be pleased that you care."
"That isn't an answer." Buck's response was casual.
The Secretary stopped, waited for some people to pass, faced Buck, and said, "The Emperor will not be disappointed if you stiff the Foreign Minister."
Buck gave a chuckle. "Why does he keep the man?"
"A cousin. Had to put him somewhere and in a role that had some meaning. It's a royal thing. Gets into all kinds of stuff on how a royal must treat a royal. And…" he paused, "…and with Prince Victor's death, Marcellus, well Prince presumptive Marcellus, was next in line for the throne. The murder provided an excellent opportunity for him to remind everyone of his rightful status. All he had to do was find the way to do it. He made the most of the tragedy, greatly irritating the Emperor."
