Fall of shadows, p.19
Fall of Shadows, page 19
part #7 of Steven Gordon Series
‘I will go and try that. Thank you Charlie. Are you sure you don’t want to come and stay here?’
‘That’s still a no. I thought you would get over that once you had the kid and your hormones levelled out again.’
‘They have, but I still fell in love with you. I can’t help that.’
‘You fell in love with the sex, not me.’
‘No, it was you.’
‘Whatever Wiola. I really don’t mean to be cruel, but I feel nothing for you.’
‘Have you seen Jean lately?’
‘Not for months.’
She suddenly stomped a foot, ‘I am so jealous.’
‘Why! I’m not in love with her either.’
‘That is horrible. Then why have sex with her?’
‘Because she is very attractive, because I do like her. Maybe if we were able to spend a lot of time together, I might well fall in love. Right now I don’t see that happening. Our relationship is in its infancy.’
‘Ours has an infant.’
Charlie sighed, ‘Gooday Wiola.’
‘It is night here Charlie.’
‘Then goodnight Wiola.’
‘Goodnight Charlie.’
Outside on his way back to his room, he bumped into Eddie.
‘Hey Charlie, you look like shit.’
‘Awesome. Wanna go get pished?’
‘Sounds good to me. Where though?’
Charlie asked Babes to find him an alien friendly bar in the city below. Half an hour later they beamed down into a side street. There was more than one alien species there that they couldn’t recognise. The bar was long and wide, and the barman eyed them curiously. Charlie saw they served a Modloch beer he was fond of. He ordered two, and paid it with his ID. The barman looked over his details as the payment went through.
‘This isn’t the kind of bar that normally gets Modloch Royalty. There are a few upmarket places in the city.’
‘I asked for an alien friendly bar and you came up, you serve decent beer, I’m happy enough.’
‘Right enough, if it’s a decent beer you want, this is the place. Those places don’t sell beer.’
The glasses were placed on the bar and Eddie’s eyes popped.
‘Oh man! That’s a beer.’
‘Thought you could escape could you Murison!’
Charlie turned to find the Bear and his replacement standing there.
‘Bloody hell Bear, is there no place on this side of the barrier safe from you?’
‘Dream on,’ he caught the attention of the barman. ‘Two more of those please, on his tab.’
Charlie nodded and the barman laughed. ‘Give me a moment.’
They took their beers over to an empty table. They were dwarfed by it. The new Captain and Eddie’s eyes both boggled. Charlie and the Bear took a deep draught.
The Bear put his beer down, ‘Babes told me you were intending on getting drunk.’
‘Aye, I sure am.’
‘How are you finding being out of the army Charlie?’
‘It feels like someone ripped away ma wee cosy blanket. I haven’t got used to it yet.’
‘Thought you would have loved it,’ Eddie gasped, coming up for air.
‘Just you wait, shit for brains. You’re next.’
‘Aye, true, but I dinna have a bunch of spooks on my tail. I can go hame, get a real job.’
‘Rub it in like.’
‘That’s what I’m here for.’
Charlie regarded his replacement, ‘How are you finding it?’
He grinned, ‘I have a rather large pair of boots to fit into. I am sure I will get there in the end.’
‘I don’t remember you as a junior officer.’
‘A company. I just made it in time for the first battle with the Albany.’
‘On the city ship?’
‘That was the one.’
‘Lose a lot of guys?’
‘Seven in all. Five of them with varying degrees of wounds. Two came back.’
‘That isn’t too bad.’
‘Doesn’t feel like it.’
‘How many did we lose in that last battle Bear?’
‘Near a hundred dead and wounded I think.’
He looked from one to the other, ‘Seriously! What fight was that?’
Charlie frowned, ‘I think it was called Belarus Three.’
‘Thought it was pronounced Balurus.’
Charlie shrugged, ‘Who cares.’
The new officer twigged, ‘With the Modloch forces?’
‘Yes,’ the Bear admitted, ‘That was quite a fight.’
‘Are they good fighters?’
The Bear nodded, ‘Yes, if you can stop them charging into every battle.’
Charlie grunted, ‘It was easier said than done.’
‘True.’
‘Still, they weren’t Human.’
The Bear eyed him coldly, ‘They were still troops that we trained and led into battle. It doesn’t matter what race they were.’
‘I am sorry sir, that was a thoughtless remark. I didn’t realise you trained them.’
‘We wanted to catch the Albany’s nobility, the Modloch Emperor wanted them for leverage. So we trained our troops in ground assault. I think Rannalld wants a permanent battalion of them. Have you heard anything Charlie?’
‘No, nothing for weeks. No doubt something is happening.’
‘Would you join the Modloch forces?’
Charlie gave him a queer look, ‘It isn’t a case of joining them. I have been made a member of the Modloch Royal family, whether I wanted it or not. If my Royal brother decides that he wants me to serve him, I will have two choices: do what I am told or run to Earth. Neither hold any great appeal.’
‘I don’t understand…’
‘Why would you, you’ve only been here five minutes.’
‘A lot to learn.’
‘Bucket loads,’ Charlie confirmed. ‘Try and remember that Darrick now rules the biggest Empire in the Federation. He has no understanding of the words “no”, or “I can’t”. He makes sure that every individual in his Empire has food to eat, and for that he expects complete loyalty. If you don’t want to live by his rules, then get the hell out of his Empire. Right now he is giving me a little wiggle room but sooner or later he will reign me in.’
‘They say you have a noble title.’
‘Noch Man Drich.’
‘What does it mean?’
‘Roughly, Lord Protector. It has only been dished out a couple of times in Modloch history. To win it you have to have saved the life of either the Emperor or those in Royal succession, more than once.’
He frowned, ‘I really have a lot to catch up on. With a title like that, it sounds as though he would want you close.’
Charlie took a long draught of beer. ‘Aye, I’m sure he considers this as my playtime.’
‘It would seem you have a very interesting life ahead of you.’
‘I was looking forward to a very interesting and lazy retirement.’
‘What were you going to do?’
‘Relic hunting.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Aye, why not! I had enough savings to buy myself a wee cottage and an acre of ground to feed myself. My pension would have been enough to pay the bills. For what I had planned, you need at least an ordinary degree, a few years at college.’ He took another swig of his beer. ‘Now it’s all in the shitter.’
‘You make it sound easy.’
‘It was going to be hard work. I love history, especially battlefield history.’
‘You mean metal detecting and stuff.’
‘Aye.’
‘You aren’t just allowed to do that these days.’
‘That’s right, you need at least an ordinary degree in archaeology.’
‘Ah! I get it now.’ He raised his massive glass. ‘To the best laid plans of mice and men.’
They raised their glasses.
A couple of hours later they staggered out of the bar. It had been a bit of a struggle to get the empty beer glass off of Eddie. He had fallen in love with his one. The barman had given Charlie the address of his supplier. By then Steven and Komoru were back on board. Steven had every intention of confronting them, but decided they were in no fit state to do so. He heard their singing from the end of the corridor and simply turned around and went back to his quarters.
Komoru looked surprised, ‘Didn’t you talk to them?’
‘No point, by the sounds of it they are blind drunk.’ He sat down beside her. ‘I suppose I don’t really have a right to say anything.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Well they weren’t on duty. We are full Federation members now. There are no restrictions any more, and they never got into trouble. The Albany are no longer offering a bounty either. So, what is the point in confronting them?’
‘I suppose we are going to have to review our policies.’
‘That may be wise. Once they all receive their citizenship identifications, they will be able to go where they wish and buy what they wish.’
‘Which reminds me, we have until the end of the week to submit the crew’s details so the ID can be issued. Then we have to open bank accounts for them.’
‘That is going to be a problem, it isn’t like the Federation can open a bank on Earth.’
‘Not really, but they are opening up one on the Modloch city ship for us. Your mum told me that that they created a new Earth Imperial Bank back at home. It is all set up and ready to roll. Their top people will arrive at the Modloch city ship in a few days’ time. They already have quarters and offices.’
‘Don’t they need to put some reserve with the Federal Bank?’
‘That’s coming too. Ten billion dollars’ worth of precious metals, all extracted from the asteroid belt, at no expense to Earth’s banks. They are also carrying our first ten years’ worth of dues to the Federation.’
‘I will bet that’s been kept quiet.’
‘They have an escort of five thousand warships.’
‘Wow!’
‘Once across the barrier, the fleet will split. The bankers will head to the City ship, and the rest of the ships will be escorted by Federation forces to the Federation’s Federal reserve.’
‘Where’s that?’
She shrugged, ‘I never asked. Don’t really care.’ With a sigh she swung her legs up on the couch. ‘I am so exhausted. That was a long day.’
Steven flumped down on the other end of the couch and closed his eyes. ‘Very long. We are going to have to rethink a lot of things.’
‘Tomorrow,’ Komoru murmured.
They both drifted off into sleep.
chapter 44
Mary and Brian had been having the time of their lives. They had visited the Modloch home world, the city ship and the Ambatta home world. From there they went and visited the Ortea home world, and now were visiting the Grand Commander of the Federation forces.
Mary was skimming through her emails, when she found a strange one from the acquisitions department. It prompted her to make a call. Charlie answered after a couple of rings.
‘Hi Charlie!’
‘Hi Mary. What’s up?’
‘I just had a very strange request from acquisitions. They are wondering what to do with the thousand beer glasses you ordered.’
‘Eh?’ Charlie squinted at the screen.
‘On the day of the treaty signing.’
It took a moment for Charlie’s face to clear. ‘Oh right! I just wanted one, but they only do them in thousands.’
Mary shook her head, ‘What did you want one beer glass for?’
‘Some of us went out and got drunk. My mate Eddie refused to leave the bar until I promised to get him a glass. He wanted to take his one with him.’
Mary sighed, ‘You made an acquisition when you were drunk…’
‘Sure did. I had the idea to sell them along with a bottle of beer. Went right out of my head though.’
‘That’s bad Charlie.’
‘No it isn’t. Wait a second.’
There was a ping and up popped a picture of Eddie with his huge glass of beer. Mary burst out laughing.
‘What the hell is that?’
‘Eddie’s pint pot.’
‘That holds a lot more than a pint Charlie.’
Brian leaned over to see what the fuss was all about.
‘Woah! Now that’s a glass of beer.’
She pushed him away, ‘Keep out of this.’
He wasn’t having it though, ‘Do you get bottles that actually fill that thing Charlie?’
‘Sure do Brian. It is some form of Modloch metric measure. Has to hold about a gallon.’
‘Oh I need one of those for my man-cave.’
‘There is a fridge too that holds a dozen bottles.’
‘I’m in.’
Mary scowled at him, ‘Oh you are so not in.’
Brian looked her straight in the eye, ‘I want the fridge, I want the beer, and I want a couple of those glasses.’
Mary leaned back, ‘Seriously?’
‘Deadly.’
She rolled her eyes, ‘Charlie, send me the rest of the information I need please.’
‘No problem.’
She broke the connection, ‘You men. Honestly!’
‘Do I ask for a lot?’
‘No, I don’t suppose you do. But this is alcohol. It isn’t like you.’
‘Remember a week ago when you saw that bag in that shop that you just had to have?’
‘Uh huh.’
‘Same thing.’
Mary was about to protest further, but it was rare for Brian to take such a keen like to anything, and he wasn’t a big drinker either. Her mind kicked into overdrive.
Eventually a strange alien appeared and guided them through to Ne´s office. He stood to welcome them.
‘Doctors Gordon, please sit down. Refreshments?’
Both refused. Ne´ made himself comfortable and regarded the pair in front of him. They were about as unremarkable as any other Humans he had met. In fact, there were very few Humans who did stand out in his mind. Yet he knew just how powerful they were in the Human world. His information had stated that it was the woman who had the real clout, but looking into the male’s eyes, he understood that this pair were a team. He would do well not to underestimate either.
He clasped his hands in front of himself, in a very Human manner.
‘I have asked you both here today for a very specific reason. The Federation forces are split up into two distinct parts. There are those that are posted to the Federation, like the battlegroups from Earth that currently serve with us. They supply their own ships, while we normally supply the logistics. These battle groups are generic to their race and planets, which give us the ability to field many different types of ships that we can mix and match to suit whatever situation arises.
‘The other part is what we refer to as the “core” of the Federation forces. They are professionals like myself, who have decided to dedicate themselves wholly to the Federation. It is a career choice that anyone can make. There are a few who wish for a career in the Federation and join us as recruits, but we mainly prefer to take those who have already served with the Federation and wish to continue to do so.
‘To that end we have our own ships, designed specifically for us. They are generally top of the line, with the highest specs, and they can handle just about anything out there. We tend to build them in-house. We are, however, coming to a point where our present fleet is at risk of becoming outdated. We have the plans for a number of prototypes, but at the moment do not have the resources to build them. We believe that you do.’
Brian held up a hand, ‘There is a process for this, Grand Commander.’
‘I am aware of that Dr Gordon, I am also aware that you two are in charge of the shipbuilding for your planet. Rather than wait months for a refusal, I took the opportunity to ask you in person.’
‘How many ships are we talking about here?’
‘Five in total. Three destroyers of various types, one light cruiser and one battleship.’
‘That is quite a big ask.’
‘You also have Builder technology that can take a plan from a draft and build an entire ship in just a few weeks. You are the only race outside the Builders themselves who have this technology.’
‘You aren’t afraid of us stealing your designs?
‘We would sign a contract first, and that would be very unwise. We are also aware that you could not adapt the technology. Your race doesn’t have the knowhow or the engineers to do so.’
Brian nodded, ‘So that’s why you would trust us to build them for you.’
‘You could also do it much faster. We would of course proof and test the vessels ourselves, your people would only have to deliver them across the barrier. We would pay full price for the vessels.’
Brian turned to Mary, ‘Where are we now?’
She shook her head. ‘We are at full capacity and have two years of back orders. We have also been refused permission to build more dockyards.’
‘Your government has refused you permission to expand?’
Brian took a deep breath ‘It isn’t as easy as that. There are governments upon governments and a world council who are desperately trying to get their hands on what we have built up. They are trying to introduce legislation to force us to hand over all of our assets, and to have it regulated. Until now, they have been pretty quiet, but we know it is all waiting in the wing.’
‘They were waiting until you had Federation status and felt safe.’
‘Pretty much.’
‘Couldn’t you threaten to cease all activity?’
‘We have played that card before. Now they have bills ready to go in place to force us not to. To make it illegal for us to shut down. They now have the ships and manpower to take it by force if they want’
‘What is stopping them?’
‘There is no real single power that can do it. The World Council doesn’t really have power. They are more of a go between for the different nations than a power on its own.’
‘Your politics are a shambles. What other reasons?’
‘We are very popular with all of the people of Earth. The last politician that dared bad mouth my wife in public was hounded from office by his own constituents.’
