Fugitives, p.6
Fugitives, page 6
part #9 of Steven Gordon Series
‘Things have changed.’
‘Not for me. He has not told me anything different. If I know Father, he will turn it into a political advantage.’
Merro opened his mouth to give an angry retort but a sudden thought stopped him. He leaned back and thought it through.
‘It may give him something to grab onto. I know they didn’t expect to get caught. I know they wanted to have some form of relations, especially with the Humans. A wounded Emperor, his defiled daughter with babe in arms, is quite a powerful tool.’
‘Yes, and I shall be standing at his side, wild-eyed, beseeching, wounded, with my handsome little boy in my arms.’
Merro smiled, ‘You are truly our father’s daughter. It may not get you Charlie back.’
‘None of them would be safe here Merro, not even Charlie. We will never see Steven or any of the others again in our space. Our high command gambled and lost, but we know our leaders. Given the opportunity they would do the same again. It could give me and my child a chance to survive, especially if they discover how much I helped them.’
‘Don’t tell me, you never know what might happen in the future. The less each of us know about the other’s involvement the better.’
‘I understand.’
‘I have done my best to provide you with identification and an account. You will also need a ship of your own to carry out business. Data miners are on the hunt for you. I have discovered the parameters they are using and sent the information to Steven, but make sure that you mix it up.’
‘I understand, they may after a while change the parameters of their search. I will keep an eye on it.’
‘There isn’t much more left to say.’
‘There will be plenty when we meet again. Thank you Merro.’
‘I am doing this to keep my little sister safe. Even if you are a spoilt little brat. Have a great adventure.’
Florina laughed, ‘The Humans call this roughing it. I call it living to the max. Keep safe brother.’
The screen went blank and Florina threw herself back onto her bed, a slow smile spreading across her face. It was a good plan. It was almost time to bathe. She and Charlie were going to spend the night together again. Her whole body began to tingle with anticipation.
Chapter 14
The elevator doors slid open and Jean walked onto the bridge to the sound of whistles.
‘Captain on the bridge.’
Jean returned the salutes and smiled. ‘Return to your stations please. She took a slow walk round. Outside the windows, the flight-deck was lit up by maintenance lights on the space dock. Everyone was watching her keenly. Mary, her steward who had accompanied her onboard, had wandered over to the other side of the bridge. Jean noticed the stricken look on her face as she touched something. Her curiosity aroused, Jean walked over.
‘What’s the matter?’
Mary jumped, startled, her face flushed with embarrassment.
‘I’m sorry Ma’am. I didn’t know.’
‘Know what Mary!’
Nervously she shuffled to the side. Jean noticed the builder’s plate. Designed by … she felt the shock flow through her.
‘It can’t be!’
‘I can have it removed.’
Jean frowned. ‘First officer.’
He wasn’t far away. ‘What do you know about the team who designed this ship?’
‘It wasn’t a team Ma’am; it was a member of Ambassador Gordon’s crew. I believe he and the ship designed it together. Remarkable isn’t it?’
‘I have barely begun my tour; I will reserve judgement for a later date. Thank you.’
It was a shock. No one had told her. She hadn’t even looked at the name of the designer when she got the details through. It had been very hard turning the Sir William Wallace over to David Black. Things weren’t yet set in stone. She would be given the option after the trials to stay on board as its permanent Captain.
Admiral Morach Valachean had been quite candid with her. The biggest threat to the Federation now came from the Empire. The humans would soon have lots of carriers at their disposal and the Grand Commander knew it. They were going to make a bid to keep this carrier with Federation Forces after its trials. If that happened it would become a training ship, although available for active service, that would train the new crews and officers. Valachean would re-join her the moment they crossed the great barrier. He would be the first to be trained. It would be Baxter’s and her job to train him first. He would then train the other Federation admirals in fleet tactics.
It was a big job and an important job. He had also told her that once her tour was finished on this ship, she would take over a fleet of her own. She would be the first female Admiral in the history of the Federation.
Her mind slipped back into the present. She hadn’t even realised that she was tracing his name with a finger.
‘Will I ever be rid of this man?’
‘I can have it removed.’
‘Why would you do that Mary? I was the one who finished it. He has earned his place on this bridge. Let us honour that at least and not bring personal feelings into the job.’
‘Yes Ma’am.’
The rest of the day was taken up with paperwork, stores, personnel. Jean explored the ship from top to bottom. She watched as the ship’s compliment of fighters were shipped in and installed into their berths. She was mesmerized by the way they revolved round. It was forbidden to put them on the flight deck while in dock in case there was an accident. When her own fighter was installed, she jumped in to test out how easy it was.
The walkway lifted slightly and extended to the cockpit. It was just a simple step. She sat there while it went through a full revolution. She could get in and out at either side, but she wanted to get out at the point she started at. It was quick, efficient, slick almost. It put a smile on her face.
A few days later she was in the engine room with her chief engineer. He managed to catch her alone for a few minutes.
‘If you don’t mind me saying Captain, a wee bird told me it was your boyfriend that designed this ship.’
‘We are friends, Mr Campbell.’
‘Then tell your friend he has done a damn fine job from an engineering perspective.’
‘I will pass that on to him if we ever meet again.’
‘Is he back on Earth?’
‘No, right now he is lost in space.’ She smiled at his confused look. ‘He is on the Ambassador’s team.’
‘Ah! One of their engineers, then I can but wish him God’s speed Ma’am.’
‘These engines look smaller than the ones I am used to. Will they keep up with the fleet?’
‘This ship is faster than anything the Federation has. Are they going to name her?’
‘I don’t think so. I believe the plan is to hand her over after her trials.’
The following week they slipped out of space-dock.
‘Steady as she goes number one. Thrusters only. Keep our speed down to twenty miles per hour.’
‘Aye aye. Double check the mooring lines.’
‘All disengaged, we are running on internal power.’
‘Engines, minimum power to thrusters. Maximum speed, twenty miles per hour. Steering, take her out.’
‘Aye aye sir.’
Jean had a grandstand view as they left space dock. She got up off her chair and went from one side of the bridge to the other. It took a while but eventually they cleared the dock.
‘Increase our speed to fifty miles per hour. Let’s begin our checks. Gravity to the main flight deck, shields up, and oxygenate it.’ Jean ordered.
Her orders were relayed. She was already suited up and Mary helped put on her helmet. Jean felt a ripple of excitement as she left the airlock. Once out she descended the stairs. There were lots of suited figures streaming out of other airlocks. They were unlocking the deck so they could launch fighters.
‘Flight deck oxygenated.’
Jean checked her watch. It had taken ten minutes. She only hesitated a moment and opened her helmet. The cold air shocked her and made her choke. It was a further five minutes before it was nearer a normal temperature. She wasn’t the only one to be caught out.
She got on her comms. ‘Number one, take a note, wait a further five minutes from full oxygenation before announcing it. That was cold, very cold. Half the deck crew are coughing their lungs out.’
‘I will review that Captain.’
Jean tucked her helmet under her arm and took a walk around. Reports were coming in from all around her. The crew were visually checking that all of the locks were undone. She walked to the rear of the ship. The space dock was still large. Behind it she got the best view of the Earth she’d ever had.
‘Takes your breath away doesn’t it?’
She found a kindred soul beside her who obviously didn’t know who she was.
‘It does.’
‘None of this running gear has been tested out thoroughly yet. If I were you, I would put my helmet back on lass. Just in case.’
‘You’re right, thank you.’
The jack tar left her alone and she put her helmet back on. The incident had made her smile, and she took a walk to the other end of the flight deck. The view was nothing short of spectacular.
‘Oh wow Charlie; you have really outdone yourself.’ Her heart suddenly felt very heavy.
Her comms sprang to life. ‘We are over the outer marker Captain. Permission to launch CAP patrols.’
‘Carry on.’
She turned and watched as eight fighters suddenly appeared on deck. Almost as one, they launched upwards and through the shields. She was able to follow their flight with the naked eye for almost a minute.
Almost as one… she mused. By the time they reached Federation space, she would have whole squadrons launching simultaneously. She promised herself she would put on a demonstration that would rock their worlds.
It was time to begin training.
chapter 15
Steven hadn’t liked taking the detour. On the way they had scoured a small asteroid field, but the pickings had been meagre. Flying over a mountainous region of the planet they were visiting had proven a lot more prosperous. They now had half a ton of fine gold that Babes had set into bars and some rare gems. She had rearranged their molecules so they were flawless.
He met Charlie and Florina in the briefing room and handed over the gems.
‘These are to pay for the documents. Their value is easily double what they are asking. Are you armed?’
Charlie slipped his hand under his jacket at the back and pulled out a very long blade.
‘This should be enough.’
‘It looks like it will do the job.’ Charlie slipped it away again. ‘Take every precaution. You are dealing with criminals. We already sent your pictures, so everything should be ready for you to simply pick up. Don’t get involved, don’t accept any drinks from them. Just get in and out.’
He saw them to the transporter room. A drone was already on planet. It was reported clear of people and surveillance devices. A minute later and they were in the alley.
Florina’s nose wrinkled, ‘God I hate alleys. Why do they always stink of pee?’
‘Keep it down, there are people close by.’
‘Sorry.’ Her voice dropped.
When Charlie knew it was safe, he hauled her out onto the street. Florina suddenly felt the world close in around her. This was a very old part of a very old city. Seedy was what came to her mind. She had never been in a place where poor people stayed, but she instinctively recognized it. Genuine fear coursed through her.
‘Keep calm.’ Charlie’s voice soothed her a little.
‘This place looks so old.’
‘There are lots of places like this back home.’
‘Earth is like this?’
‘Some places. There’s the bar.’
‘I don’t really want to go in.’
‘They insisted we both turn up. Don’t worry.’
‘I will try not to.’
‘There are two men either side of the building.’
‘I can see them.’
‘They are a part of the group we are meeting. Lookouts.’
‘You sure?’
‘Oh aye!’
Charlie was already reading minds and could feel his temper grow. He and Florina walked into the bar and an alien stood up and nodded. Charlie guided her across and pulled out a chair for her. As he sat down, he struck. The long knife thudded into the wall right by where the boss man’s ear would have been, if he had one.
‘Here is how this is going to go down. If your friend touches that weapon you are both going to die. If you don’t have those credentials you are both dead, and if those two take one more step towards this table, all four of you are dead.’
The alien’s hand shot up and then waved. Charlie caught the two thugs as they moved into his peripheral vision by the bar.
‘Looks like someone’s got your measure Tot.’ A gravelly voice shouted across the bar. There was an outburst of rough laughter.
‘Those credentials.’
Sweat was beginning to run down the bluish face. He had to try something.
‘They are, uh… very expensive.’
Charlie tossed the small bag of jewels to the henchman, who took out a small device and put it next to the bag. With a frown he gave the uncut stones a once-over and stuck the first one in the device. He almost choked and pushed it across.
‘There is well over twice what you asked for in rare green diamonds there. If these credentials are real, you will never see me again. If they aren’t, there is nothing and no one on this planet who can keep you safe. Am I making myself understood?’
‘Perfectly. You aren’t an amateur.’
‘Got your wires a little crossed there I’m thinking. This is a favour for a favour; if you catch my drift.’
‘I catch it just fine. If you ever need a job, look me up.’
‘I’m fully booked up at the moment but thank you for the kind offer. If I ever need the work, I will look you up.’
Charlie got up and the long knife disappeared in the blink of an eye. He guided Florina out of the door and down the first alley. They disappeared.
Steven met them in the transporter room. He sent Florina back to her room and took Charlie to his quarters. They sat on the big couches. Charlie tossed the credentials onto the table.
Steven picked them up, ‘Are they genuine?’
‘No idea, I had a bit of a situation on my hands.’
‘What happened?’
‘They were going to kill me and sell Florina as a sex slave.’
‘Really? What did you do?’
‘Stuck this big knife alongside where he should have had an ear and made it quite clear that if he tried anything he would be the first to get it.’
‘No ears?’
‘No ears and kinda blue. Ugly bugger. So what now?’
Steven was reading the credentials shaking his head. ‘Cyrena Vance and Joe Bloggs?’
‘It doesn’t matter Stevie, no bugger here knows who Joe Bloggs is.’
‘True. Anyway, tomorrow you have to register as a company. That’s going to cost a few thousand, but we have gold coins enough to cover it.’
‘We sticking with the mining theme?’
‘I think that would be wisest. Mineral and metal brokers, mining consultants. We still have a problem though. We can’t just appear or beam you down everywhere with a shitload of gold. What we need is a shuttlecraft of some kind, a decent one.’
‘There must be plenty places that we can buy one.’
‘There is, but not with gold. It has to be registered with the Empire.’
‘A shuttle-craft, registered with the Empire?’
Steven held up a hand, ‘Merro explained it once. Shuttlecrafts are registered to the ships they serve. Something to do with piracy.’
‘Then a shuttlecraft is no good, we need a ship.’
‘Or we can get our hands on an old military one. Some of them are fast enough to be registered as a ship.’
‘You know that for sure?’
‘Yes. We are linked to the net here through Florina’s pad. Your team have been working like crazy.’
‘Now you’re just making me feel bad.’
Steven laughed, ‘You are doing enough Charlie.’
‘If the buying and selling of these things are highly regulated, then we are still stuck.’
‘There is another way. We can salvage one and register it ourselves. That just costs a couple of thousand, and we can pay with the gold bars we have here. Or we find someone who wants to sell privately. They register it as lost or scrapped and we register it as salvaged.’
‘Then after we get it and register it?’
‘It needs to be inspected.’
‘Like an MOT.’
Steven screwed up his face. ‘Oh, like that thing I had to do with my car to use it on the roads in Scotland.’
‘That’s it. Basically, a road worthiness test.’
‘We need a space worthiness test.’
‘Can you get one of these things with an MOT on it?’
Steven groaned, ‘Only by going through official channels. Even if we end up with a junker, we can fix it up. Our problem is time. We need to be a lot further on.’
‘What’s our time frame?’
‘We have about a month to get to the furthest region of Imperial space.’
Charlie did some calculations. ‘It will take us two months to get there without any kind of delay.’
‘That’s why we need to push it. Eight weeks from our initial time of departure, they should begin to realise that we aren’t going home the way they expect us to.’
‘Then we are going to be stuck five weeks behind enemy lines. They will have forces out that way they can set to block us. We could flip round and go back the way. Go as far this way as it takes to get everything we need, then turn around.’
‘It will still take them almost three months to put any substantial forces ahead of us Charlie.’
‘That’s true, but then there isn’t really many places we can leave from.’
