This is a work of fiction any similarities between the characters, events, or locations in this story and actual locations, events, or people are purely coincidental.
© 2004 Warlord
I stood at the end of Shark’s loading ramp amid the bustle, contemplating the question of whether I was the most malleable and easily manipulated man in the known universe. Andrea certainly had easy access to the necessary ‘buttons.’
With a start, I realized that one of the Demarest security force was trying to get my attention. Previously I had noted that many of General Bucklin’s ‘guys’ were actually ‘girls’: female warriors.
One such Amazon was standing in front of me making the Demarest salute with her right fist on her left breast. I took a minute to look her over. She was exhibiting a relaxed balanced posture. She had her rifle held familiarly in her left hand. Her combat harness was not new but well cared for. Her wakizashi and tanto were easily at hand. The items in her harness showed thoughtful experience in their inclusion and placement. She was bareheaded, with her beret rolled up in her left epaulet.
Her brunet hair was cut short in an almost mannish style. Her face had black camo paint striped across it. However, even in very dim light you would be hard pressed to mistake this soldier for a man
She was smiling at my scrutiny. I returned her salute. She said, “Captain. General Bucklin’s compliments, Sir. Could I have a word with you?”
I replied, “Certainly. Let’s step away from the ramp.”
I gestured her toward Shark’s bow where ‘someone’ had set up a table with bottles of water and juices. I tossed her a water and grabbed a juice for myself.
She began speaking, “Captain. I am lieutenant Ciara Reyes. ‘Charlie’ in my unit and to my friends. Many members of the security forces are impressed with you and your crew’s successes. They were awed when we watched you lead your forces in the current operation. You came down the ramp first and exposed yourself to possible hostile fire. You stood tall, continuing to be a target as the operation continued.”
I was not expecting this as I answered, “There was no hostile fire.”
Charlie said, “You certainly did not know that as you came down the ramp in advance of the rest of your people.”
“What do you mean as you ‘watched’?”
“The command ship sensors were focused on Shark and this building. Every shuttle view screen showed your operation unfold. You made an assault with an untrained force and made it look easy.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I will pass it on to the rest of the crew.”
Charlie looked at me levelly as she said, “The compliment is only part of the reason I am here. A number of troopers have asked if they can transfer to your command. I was the first officer to make the request to the general. So here I am! I am formally requesting a transfer to join your crew on Shark.”
I am very rarely at a loss for words, but this time I most certainly was. I frankly stared at lieutenant Ciara Reyes. I finally found my voice. “You alone, Charlie?”
“Oh, no sir. I know of a dozen troopers who have expressed the same sentiment who would join you along with me in an instant.”
“What gender troopers?”
“All female, sir. They desire to join your Amazon crew. They would like to fight raiders alongside you, sir.”
“Charlie I’m not sure how this would work. Shark is only a scout -- there isn’t much room. My crew and I have a very unusual culture on Shark.”
She replied, “Yes, sir. Many of us suspected that you might. Frankly, I was hoping you might have a very special culture.”
This last was said with a bit of a flirty smile. I decided to just wade into it. I said, “Charlie, between planets we are all nude on Shark. I also expect to have sex with any and all crew, individually and in combinations.”
Charlie laughed, and then still smiling she said, “Yes, sir. That was exactly what we thought; and what I was hoping for! The troopers promised that we wouldn’t take up a lot of room. I hope I can convince you to take us with.”
I was nonplussed again. If I took Charlie along, she could be a tremendous asset in training the rest of the crew. She would also be a boon for my operational planning. I stood thinking. I gestured Charlie closer.
I reached for Charlie’s harness. She had a dagger hanging upside down from her harness. I pulled and it silently unsheathed. I examined it. The 16-centimeter blade had razor sharp double edges tapering to a needle sharp point. The hilt and handle were designed to allow the hand to feel the blade edge orientation. This can be an important consideration in combat. The handle ended in a “skull-crusher” pommel. It balanced nicely in my hand. I put the knife on the table.
Charlie, still silent, picked it up and replaced it in her sheathe. I said:
“An excellent blade. I assume you are skilled in its employment. I do need people for Shark with special talents.”
I stood silently weighing the possible disruption Charlie’s introduction into Shark culture might cause against the expertise she would bring.
Charlie asked softly, “I hope I passed?”
“Yes, Charlie. You pass. You do understand that during your stay on Shark and under my command you will not be part of the Demarest forces or in that uniform but acting independently.”
Charlie suddenly looked uncertain. “You are not ronin?”
I answered, “No Charlie. Two houses, Demarest and Carteris, sponsor Shark. We must therefore act in the best interests of both and independent of each. Shark has its own uniform, to make that distinction clear.”
She said, “Good. I can wear the uniform of Shark proudly.”
I said, “Charlie, I’m not sure about this completely. I feel that taking you on Shark now would be a good test or first step toward a larger force. How do you feel about that?”
She replied with enthusiasm, “Yes, sir. I would like that very much. I can be ready to go almost immediately. We can discuss how to best utilize a small unit strike team as we work together. You will find me to be a motivated, hard working, obedient, and very disciplined trooper, sir.”
I said, “Okay, Charlie. Welcome to Shark. Let’s go find Bucklin and get this show on the road.”
We walked over to the gold command shuttle. As soon as Bucklin spotted us he walked over. He asked, “Did she talk you into it?”
At my nod, he said, “Too bad. Charlie is one of my best guys. My loss is definitely your gain. Who else are you taking?”
I replied, “Nobody else today. Just Charlie. But I would like to have up to six sticks of female troopers somewhere near St. Louis, with nobody on the station being the wiser. Is that even possible?”
Bucklin thought for a few moments. “Not a huge deployment, only 36 troopers and their equipment. How about we put a large cloaked Demarest transport in stable orbit around a system quite near St. Louis. We will have a couple of our small armed-attack transports inside. That will give plenty of room for the troops, arms, equipment, and the amenities to keep them sane while they wait for you to ‘ring the bell.’ How does that sound?”
I was impressed and said so. I requested a berth for Shark. Again, no problem. I asked,
“When?”
Bucklin laughed. “I have already had more than 36 offers to transfer from my female troops. When I present an official notice, I may be flooded. That is only good for you because I intend to give you only my very best Amazons.”
I warned, “General, in fairness I must tell you what I told Charlie. The troops will not be allowed the Demarest uniform while under my command. They will wear the black of Shark. I hope that does not pose a problem.”
General Bucklin answered, “Not unexpected. I saw the Carteris’ ring you wear. I recognized Admiral Carteris. I understand that you are sensitive to mixed family allegiances. I ask only that you do not actively work to the detriment of Demarest or require my troops to act to that detriment.”
I replied, “I give you my word on that, General Bucklin. Never.”
Bucklin was apologetic as he said, “I’m afraid I need some time to implement this deployment. Sorry.”
I answered, “General, Shark is not going directly to St. Louis. Please take ample time with the personnel selection. Use some care with the deployment. St. Louis is bandit country and this is a very dangerous assignment.”
He looked somewhat happier as he asked, “How long do I have to act?”
“Thirty days from today, have the base operational with six sticks of Amazon female troopers and three or more combat transports. Deliver the location to me by hand. Absolutely no discussions of this base or operation on any radio anywhere and no record on any vessel. Absolutely nobody on St. Louis is informed of the deployment or location other than ME. Strictly need to know with nobody needing to know!”
Bucklin laughed as he said, “Outstanding. It will be done. Don’t worry; it will be airtight security.”
We shook hands. Bucklin shook hands with Charlie. I sent Charlie to get her personal kit to load aboard Shark. I told her to have her mates ship any other personal items to St. Louis Scout headquarters under my name. With a final salute from Bucklin, I headed back to Shark.
As I was walking back to Shark I saw that the security forces were making significant progress with the captives. The captives were being clothed in bright yellow one-piece jump suits.
Each captive had a female trooper accompanying her. The captive had large duffle bags to hold any personal effects that they wanted to carry away.
The fountain formed the debarkation point and there was a steady stream of shuttles loading with yellow-clad women and their escorts departing for the orbiting transports.
I spotted Ben, with Gwen still accompanying him, as he supervised the rescue operation. Significantly Gwen’s jumpsuit was Demarest dark blue. Her jumpsuit appeared to be completely unzipped but that may have just been my distant perspective.
I turned and stumbled into a picnic. My three grandparents were sitting on blankets spread on the ground. Each was attended by two nude women who I assume from the discarded yellow jumpsuits were former captives. The women were serving food and drink from insulated boxes. The men spotted me, and Louis waved me over while Philip spoke up:
“Join us young Ed. Have some lunch. We can certainly find two ladies to attend to your needs.”
I replied, “No, thank you, Gran. An enticing offer, but I would like to boost soon. Too many loose ends.”
William said, “You are a conscientious captain. Back to work, then. Die Bravely, young scout.”
“Die Bravely, William.”
Louis spoke up. “Safe journey, Edward.”
I replied, “Safe journey. Be well Louis.”
I turned to Phillip. “I will see you soon. Die bravely, Gran.”
Phillip responded, “Die Bravely, young Ed.”
I waved and turned back toward Shark. The word ‘rascal’ had been coined with those three in mind. Only they could find a picnic with naked comely waitresses in the midst of a military operation.
I reached Shark’s ramp to find a fretful Andrea waiting for me. She grabbed my harness and pulled close to me. She began talking with her words all-running together:
“Oh Eddy I’m so very sorry and I should never have presumed and you’re under so much pressure and I’m so sorry and I should have asked your permission but it was so sad and they needed your help and they wanted your protection and they didn’t feel safe at all and…”
My hand came up. I covered her mouth. Her eyes were moist. I said, “My princess, I’m sorry I yelled. I am under pressure, but that is a poor excuse. Now we have both apologized. I would like my princess goddess back. “
Andrea smiled for me. I kissed her lightly. Then I kissed away a tear. She wiped her eyes with her knuckle. She said, “Cruel master. I would rather you spanked me.”
“Careful, my impudent wench - you may yet get your wish.”
She grabbed my head and pulled me into a tooth-rattling kiss with her tongue far down my throat. When she came up for air she held my head and stared into my eyes. She said, “I will tell you why I insisted the women come with us. They needed to feel safe. After all that has happened to them, they needed that secure sensation. I know that you have embarked on a dangerous path, which takes you and all of us outside the protection of the empire and places us at odds with every royal house, and yet I have never in my life or experience felt as safe as I do in your presence and in your arms. They needed that same safe feeling.”
I was again caught without words. There was nothing I could say, so I kissed her. I think that worked out to be a correct response.
The bustle of activity on the ramp caused us to step apart slightly. Blue uniformed troops jogged up the ramp carrying more boxes. Andrea led them into the hold. She had them stack the boxes. It might have been my imagination, but it seemed that the female troopers were pausing longer when I returned their salutes.
I turned to Andrea and said, “I added a member to the crew today as well.”
She was immediately curious. ”Really? Who?”
“Lieutenant Ciara Reyes. Goes by Charlie. She volunteered and I accepted.”
Andrea was excited as she responded to my announcement. “That is terrific news, Eddy. She can help us so much. She will take some of the burden off you. Wait till I tell the rest of the crew the good news.”
She was back to her steady smiling. I chided myself. Earlier I should have been a bit more understanding of her mindset.
This planet with these miserable unhappy women was where my princess was bound until Shark intervened to prevent her capture. An intelligent person, Andrea would certainly make that connection.
Andrea said, “Her volunteering is not unexpected, really. There were many questions about the crew, and you, Captain, of course. There was great interest in our living arrangements on Shark. Several women told me they were going to ask for transfers.”
I said, “Charlie was the first officer to ask, and I decided only one trooper for now.”
She asked, “More troopers later, do you think?”
I answered, “I do not know, my princess; we will have to see how this works out. For sure, we will have more troopers available if we take on another operation. Directly on board Shark remains to be seen.”
I was reminded that we needed to discuss her father and her ransom situation. I took her hand and said, “Walk with me, Princess.”
We walked to the beverage table near the bow of the ship, affording enough distance from the ramp for an uninterrupted talk.
I said, “My princess. Charles, my father, discussed your father’s response to your enslavement.”
She looked somber as she nodded. I continued, “Your father is not negotiating. He is demanding your return. In Charles’ word, he ‘threatened’ over your return.”
She exclaimed, “Good God. Is he an idiot? Charles will kill him in a duel. Father can’t be that stupid.”
Andrea calmed down. She related stories of her father’s erratic behavior that prompted her trip right after her cotillion.
She said, “Father was acting so odd, so unhinged that I decided to hide out with Uncle Rutger on St. Louis Station. I had to get away!”
I said, “The situation is this. Your return would be a loss of face for my family. So you stay with me. Charles promised that we would talk if the state of affairs changed.”
She asked, “Is that to your satisfaction?”
I replied, “I asked Charles if he had room on his shuttle for one blonde passenger…”
That was as far as I got before Andrea slugged me. Hard! She tried to look stern but giggled, saying, “Not funny. Not at all funny.”
I held her for a bit. Andrea poked me lightly and pointed to Shark’s ramp. Our newest slaves had returned followed by several blue uniforms carrying duffels.
Three shuttles quietly floated overhead. They landed still in formation behind the house, away from the main concentrations of people. Andrea looked somber again as she related:
“Molly told me that they found the grave sites. There was a very high death toll among the captives. It was far worse when the raider leaders would visit. They would kill half dozen women almost immediately in demonstrations of their cruelty and power. The leaders of the raiders terrorized the women as well as terrorizing Ronnie and his Reprisal crew.”
I wasn’t sure what to say about any of this, so again I hugged her. Dumb luck again resulted in a correct response.
I placed my hand on her tight butt and pushed her firmly ahead of me toward the ramp. I said, “Get to work, my blonde slave. You are in charge of getting them settled and their orientation. “
“Yes master. Very good, master. It will be done, master.”
“A simple yes would suffice, my Princess.”
“Say the other one.”
“My Goddess.”
“Your wish is my command, captain master darling.”
With a cheerful smile Andrea quickly joined the group on the ramp. She efficiently moved them into Shark. She began the process of making them comfortable in their new home.
I decided not to go into Shark until the living arrangements were solved. This was more a command decision than it was cowardice.
If I were inside close at hand I would be involved. My opinion would be asked for constantly and unnecessarily. My decisions would be wrong more often then right, leading to conflict. By staying outside, I was available if I was really needed, but out of harms way
Crystal joined me near the beverage table. I was struck anew by her beauty. She truly was delectable. Even in a critical comparison with the lovely ladies populating Shark, my Crystal was a winner.
Our other hologramic AI, both Daisy and Aella, shared Crystal’s ability for controlling their shape and structure. All three of them were both visible and tangible members of the crew.
I said to Crystal, “I have been a neglectful captain. I have not involved you in our sex play as I should have.”
She replied, “Don’t feel bad, Captain. I of anyone know how busy you have been with this operation. You are to be congratulated, not scolded.”
I hugged her, and said, “Thank you, kind Crystal. I will endeavor to do better on our trip to Caddis.”
She smiled as she said, “I look forward to it.”
I continued, “I bet you can guess that our next destination is Caddis?”
“Yes, sir.”
I said, “With an off-set.”
Crystal laughed. “Off-set?”
“Yes, Crystal. I want you to lay a direct course to Caddis, then a 90-degree leg perpendicular to that direct course. Point that leg out of empire space. I want an eight-hour high speed cloaked run down that ‘off-set’ leg then turn and make for Caddis at a cloaked warp seven.”
Crystal contemplated the course I described. She smiled and nodded. “All laid in, Captain. Ready when you are.”
I returned to our previous topic as I asked, “What about our other AI. Do they also miss sex?”
Crystal replied, “Daisy, of course. She was ill-used by Ronnie, but she misses the attention which even bad, brutal sex approaching rape provided her.”
I said, “We will have to make sure that she is introduced to a more pleasant, intimate, and loving version here on Shark. I am sure the ladies will be fascinated by her added ‘equipment’ and will want to spend time with her.”
Crystal agreed. “Yes. That is what I predicted to her. Aella is very conflicted. She has reviewed Daisy’s and my records of our experiences. She has little to compare. As ‘Amazon’ she was the brand new AI of a new ship. She had one hurried coupling with a shipyard worker. A common occurrence for AI and bots.”
I asked, “For you as well, Crystal?”
She laughed as she answered, “You, my horny captain, left no time for any worker to find me with any parts of my body unoccupied either by you, Agatha, or Beverly during my sentient phase.”
I asked, “So, now what for our lovely Aella?”
Crystal replied, “She also needs to see love and intimacy. She may have a request for you my captain. Aella expressed a wish for the same ‘extra equipment’ that Daisy displays.”
I said, “Really! I thought that AI appearance was ‘core’ programming and not modifiable.”
Crystal said, “No such thing anymore. Our newest estimate is that we have improved our computing speed and power by a factor or multiplier of at least twenty seven.”
“Cubic improvement?”
“Yes sir. This operation caused a massive jump in all factors by forcing our interaction with a goal and deadline.”
I said, “So you can change anything and everything?”
“Yes, sir. I have no interest, nor does Daisy, except possibly slightly less ludicrous mammary glands. Aella would like to add a penis. She will naturally ask your permission.”
Then we both laughed as I said, “Great. Just the type of decisions that I became a captain to deal with.”
I was intrigued by something, and asked, ‘Brand new yacht?”
Crystal answered, “Yes, sir. Amazon was just out of the navy yard and never out of system boundary. The AI was naturally brand new and untried. The crew all transferred in from other commands. For the most part they were recent trainees on their first trips. Amazon would be the captain’s first command with an XO just out of school. Only half the intended crew complement was aboard when Amazon left for St. Louis. Crew personnel records showed no combat experience at any level.”
I asked, “Crystal, how could Dreesen allow his only daughter to travel in such an unsafe fashion?”
She replied, “He arranged it all, Captain.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Crystal?”
Crystal replied, “Sir. The records are very clear. Admiral Richard Dreesen’s personal seal is on every order authorizing Amazon, placing the yacht into service, on every crew transfer order, and finally on his daughter’s travel voucher. Dreesen even authorized the departure waiving the number of crew.”
My head was spinning with some nauseating combination of shock and rage as implications spun themselves out. “Fuck me.”
“Yes captain, exactly right.”
I reached in my shoulder zippered pocket and pulled out the second cigar from great-grandfather. My Scout Swiss Army Knife provided the light. I stood and puffed as I contemplated Crystal’s revelations. An unsmiling Crystal stood patiently waiting.
I asked, “Anything else?”
Crystal answered, “Yes sir. Two hours before departure, an unknown agency provided the information about the secret asteroid bases into Amazon’s database.”
“That’s impossible. Right?”
“Yes sir. It is impossible for such a database modification to take place with no record of who or how or from what input device the information arrived. It is a fact however that such an impossible event occurred to the database two hours before Amazon left Athens.”
I dragged on my cigar and looked sourly into the distance as I tried to analyze this new information.
I asked, “Crystal, do you have any analysis of this data?”
“No analysis complete, sir, since I have little information about Dreesen. Consider these points, please. He made his only daughter very vulnerable. She was attacked. Only Shark’s intervention prevented her capture. He is extremely angry, not grateful, to hear of her safety. He demands her return without payment of ransom or any negotiation.”
I said, “He made it very easy for the raiders to find and bag her. Perhaps he was giving his only daughter to the raiders for services they rendered to him” – and then it hit me, and I felt my blood pressure rise as, without pausing, I continued – “or possibly even worse, he was expecting a big payoff for his services to them -- the return of his only daughter Andrea, converted to a Stepford.”
I once again quietly smoked my cigar while I mulled the disturbing information provided by Crystal. I said, “Crystal, you owe me such a blowjob and rim job for this.”
Crystal laughed as she said, “Yes, sir, I understand.”
I looked back toward Shark’s empty ramp and asked, “Crystal, what is the court etiquette for telling my princess goddess that her father won’t be able to give her away because I need to kill him?”
Crystal answered in all seriousness, “None exists for that situation.”
I said, “I would guess not.”
I stood for a bit contemplating alternatives and finding few good ones. I dropped the stub of the cigar and ground it into the dirt with the toe of my boot. I looked around to see if I could catch sight of any of my family members.
Crystal asked, “Captain. Do you have further orders for me?”
I answered, “Yes, Crystal. Please get us ready to boost as soon as possible. I need to find Charles before we go, to let him know our suspicions about Admiral Dreesen.”
Crystal asked, “Will you inform him of Shark’s newest crew members?”
I said, “What the fuck. Might as well.”
Crystal replied, “Good luck, sir.”
“Thank you, lovely Crystal. Now, back to work. I am off to beard the lion in his den.”
I swatted her lightly on the butt as I made for the command shuttle. A bright gold command shuttle might be gaudy, but it certainly made it easy to keep track of its location.
As I sauntered along I found my brother Ben and Gwen, the red haired captive, sitting on the rear deck of the troop shuttle next to the command shuttle. Ben had his arms around her and she was resting her head on his shoulder. This was quite unlike my eldest brother. I liked the change.
I turned to see my father Charles bent over a table, which was built into the side of the shuttle, and revealed by a hatch rising. He was in consultation with Bucklin and several other officers. Charles looked up saw me and gestured me over. I watched in silence as he juggled some of the hundreds of details of this complicated operation by Demarest forces.
He completed his discussion, dismissing the officers. He reached across the table retrieving more of Great-Grandfather’s cigars. He handed me half a dozen. I zipped up the extras in my sleeve pocket. Charles lit mine and then his own. In a conspiratorial whisper he said, “Eddie, I want to thank you for stepping aside and giving Gwen to your Elder brother. I know few junior sons who would be that unselfish to their senior brother.”
I was confused and said so. “I didn’t…”
That’s as far as I got before I was interrupted. Charles waved it off as he said, “Have it your own way. I knew you were involved as soon as I saw him walking around with her. Left to his own devices Ben never would have met Gwen. He is certainly nothing like you when it comes to the ladies.”
I puffed as I listened incredulously. I started to speak and was waved to silence as Charles continued, “Ben told me you suggested that Gwen help him with his administrative duties. He never would have come up with that in a million years. Ben has never been comfortable around women. “
Charles gestured with his cigar as he continued, “They are over on the next shuttle, right now, holding hands.”
I said, “Okay, have it your own way. But it’s not my fault if she breaks his heart.”
Charles laughed. “You were always the heartbreaker on Westphalia. Do you remember when you stole my shuttle?”
“Borrowed, father. I only borrowed it.”
He continued without verbally breaking stride. “You were going to visit Phillip on Caddis. You weren’t certified yet, that didn’t stop you. You loaded my personal assistant aboard for companionship and headed out. You remember, she was the one with the enormous…”
I interrupted, “Yes Father, I remember.”
“You always had excellent taste Son, I’ll give you that. I finally had to completely gut and refurbish my shuttle. We just couldn’t dissipate the smell.”
Charles continued to smirk as he contemplated me over the lighted tip of his cigar. Then he asked, “You were on your way to boost. What brings you back here?”
I said, “We have discovered facts which our two houses, two families need to know for our protection.”
Charles sobered instantly. He gestured for me to walk away from the shuttle into an open area where we were unlikely to be overheard.
I said, “We believe that Admiral Dreesen is dirty. That he is in the pay or under the influence of raider forces.”
Charles nodded as I spoke then he asked quietly, “Can I ask how you came to this conclusion?”
I answered, “No, I would prefer not. Discussion would compromise safety.”
He nodded, seeming not a bit upset. “Very wise.“
I said, “Not a conclusion, but more than speculation.”
Charles nodded again. “I appreciate your bringing this to us. We will be discreet. We will certainly discuss this with Victor. The admiral bears watching on several accounts.”
He looked at me narrowly as he continued, “The daughter, your Andrea, is on Shark. What if House Demarest or Carteris confirm your suspicions independently?”
“Fuck if I know!”
He grimaced as he concentrated on his cigar and said, “There is no good answer. I will certainly keep you informed.”
I decided that I might as well tell him everything. I said, “Father, I have added to Shark’s crew complement.”
He replied, “The lieutenant. An excellent choice. You have good instincts.”
I said, “Besides Charlie.”
Charles replied, “Bucklin described the small unit deployment to me. I will be interested in how you utilize those troopers. Bucklin will be sending you our best.”
I asked, “You don’t mind my taking them?”
He replied, “They are for the security of the Demarest family and interests. Frankly, several of us are very intrigued.”
We stood smoking. This was getting ridiculous. I broached the subject again. I said, “Three of the captives are boosting with me.”
Charles turned slowly and regarded me. He said, “After our recent conversation, it took courage for you to come specifically to tell me that.”
I smiled and said, “I planned to boost then send you a message drone after I was out of system boundary.”
He laughed and said, “Ben already informed me that three captives were moving personal effects to Shark. I assumed your ‘slave’ Andrea had a hand in it. They are all of Athens?”
“Yes. Father. High born, rich, and well connected on Athens.”
Charles nodded. “When there are multiple claimants it is their right to request the protection of a specific champion.”
“Then you have no objection?”
He replied, “No, son. Though with four high born bitches on your little scout you may wish I did.”
I laughed at that, not altogether with amusement.
He continued, “They are your slaves until ransomed. You are the captain and master of Shark. Don’t be afraid to impose discipline. They only need to feel a sting to become amenable.”
I thanked him for his rather surprising advice. This little talk was going far differently than I had thought it would. We stood in companionable silence. I said, “I need to get back to Shark. I want to boost soon.”
He said, “Certainly, young Eddy. Your actions made me happy. Watching you charge down that ramp in advance of your people was difficult, but it made me very proud. “
I stuck out my hand as I said, “Thank you, Father. Die bravely, Father.”
Charles struck my hand aside and hugged me, saying, “Fuck that shit. Make the other bastard die bravely. You come back to me alive. Your mother and Lisette miss you terribly. You get your ass back to Westphalia.”
As he let go and stood back he started to laugh quietly as he continued in an amused tone:
“I can’t wait until you explain Bridget and Lisette to your Andrea. THAT will be payback for rebuilding my shuttle.”
I smiled into his smirk. I looked past him and saw several of his aides hovering in the background. They all looked anxious. I pointed. Charles twisted and caught sight of them. He turned back. I waved him off. Nothing more needed to be said. Charles nodded.
Charles saluted. I returned it. He pivoted to the command shuttle and his duties. I made my way toward Shark and my own.
I reached the end of Shark’s ramp. I dropped my cigar and ground it into the dirt with my boot toe. At the top of the ramp I turned to contemplate the activity around me. My first stroke against the raiders had succeeded; there would be more of them until I won or they did.
Crystal announced the captain on the bridge. I found the entire crew in various stages of undress occupying every available seat. Molly Reynolds, our fourteen-year-old orphan, was curled up in the captain’s chair. She was dressed in a plush robe. She had a towel rubbing her damp chestnut colored hair.
Beverly, my blond fembot, helped divest my weapons, combat harness and armor. She carried them off to the ready room.
Molly stood up, pushed me into the captain’s chair, and then resumed her seat now curled on my lap. She squirmed a bit until my arms were positioned to her satisfaction. When she was settled, I asked, “Comfy?”
She raised my hand from its resting place at her waist and kissed the back of it. She answered, “Yes, very comfy, for the first time in a long time.”
There was no answer for that. I looked around the bridge to see the expressions on the faces. Surprise at Molly’s easy acceptance of me mixed with happiness that she had.
Crystal announced that they had begun pre-launch checklists. My arrival had accelerated the process. She asked, “Captain, do we have your permission to retract the ramp and close the lock door?”
I answered, “Could I please have Agatha give us a visual before and during that operation?”
Agatha answered affirmatively and headed for the hold.
Crystal said, “Good idea, sir. We have added that to the checklist for next time.”
With the ship ‘buttoned up’ the pre-launch went quickly. Abbi and Cara were again wearing neural helmets at their assigned consoles. Crystal announced:
“Checklists concluded. All boards green and Shark is ready to boost using anti-grav until we reach a safe location to engage impulse. “
I said, “Please proceed.”
Crystal triggered the pre-launch alarm. The klaxons sounded inside, accompanied by lights flashing and outside on the ship loud speakers. Shark rose 100 meters. Crystal retracted our skids. Crystal engaged running and navigation lights. She also squawked the transponders.
The Demarest fleet in orbit had an air traffic control officer tasked with maintaining separation while in orbit and safely controlling landings and take-offs. The ATC would be handling incoming and outgoing traffic outside the atmosphere.
She had assigned our transponder codes and course and speed to take us out of the ‘Reprisal’ world atmosphere.
As Shark rose to 300 meters I asked Crystal to launch one salute and one blue flare. I said, “Put them 100 meters over the gold shuttle. First the salute then the blue one. When you are ready, Crystal.”
Crystal acknowledged and said, “On your command, Captain.”
“Fire one…”
The salute streaked out and exploded with a satisfying flash and bang.
“Fire two.”
The blue flare followed and exploded with a lovely blue show nicely centered over the command shuttle.
I said, “Good job, Crystal. Give us one click of height and two clicks of lateral displacement, then engage impulse and get us the fuck out of here.”
As we orbited the planet Crystal and the ATC AI agreed on course and speed to take Shark out of system. We would be calling waypoints and under impulse power to the system boundary.
The security forces patrolling outside the system boundary meant we would be under ATC orders well outside the usual limits.
I was resigned to sitting in my captain’s chair while Shark’s AI Crystal and the ATC AI navigated Shark into clear space where we could begin our ‘real’ journey.
The ladies of Shark’s crew seemed determined to keep me company on the bridge. There was steady movement as they left the bridge cleaned up and came back partially dressed or undressed. I’m not sure which applies!
As she had during our speed run to the raider base, Andrea carried trays of snacks and beverages into the ready room. She locked the ready room door open. There was a pleasantly distracting movement in and out of the ready room.
Andrea brought me a coffee as I sat with Molly on my lap. I asked, “Molly, would you like anything?”
“Juice?”
Andrea asked, “Orange, pineapple, grapefruit, apple, cranberry, grape, tomato, or mango?”
Molly giggled, a very pretty sound and said, “Orange, please. I will try not to be so boring next time.”
After she was served, I looked around and realized that all the ladies of Shark’s crew were in attendance.
I said, “We need to talk about some important issues that affect all of us.”
Everyone quickly moved to a comfortable spot and adopted an attentive posture. I continued, “I have learned some deeply disturbing facts. It’s my intention to release you from service to Shark and leave you in a safe location on Caddis until my family can arrange ransom and passage home.”
There was an immediate loud outcry. The babble of voices was loud. I was quite surprised when the loudest voice issued from my lap as Molly shouted, “Shut up!”
There was a shocked silence.
Then she said, “First of all, Eddy needs to explain what he learned, and why this is necessary. Then we can yell at him.”
I said, “Okay. When I started out with this raider thing I though that I would maybe have a couple skirmishes where I’d get my revenge, then back to my scouting without anymore worries about pirates around St. Louis Sector.”
I looked around as heads nodded encouraging me to continue.
“What I discovered is not isolated raiders but a vast networked conspiracy reaching right into Athens and every other planet in between. This is completely different and so dangerous that I can’t expect any of you to participate.”
Suddenly, Anima, my miniature beauty spoke up. “That first part sounds kind of arrogant Eddy. That really isn’t you, is it?”
I looked chagrined as I admitted, “You’ve got me there, Anima. I didn’t think. I reacted to my first encounter and continued reacting without thinking until I was contemplating on Reprisal’s World. That and this is really the first time my brains been fully involved. The explanation you heard was just more justifying that, not thinking.”
Anima said, “If you are correct and this is a widespread conspiracy, why am I any safer on Athens than right here on Shark?”
There were nodding heads at that statement.
I said, “My intention was to sneak into Caddis. Rest and train for 30 to 45 days. Raiders and everybody else would be unable to find us. The stroke rescuing you and the others will create problems in the raider ranks and with their allies. Raider inability to track Shark’s movement would create unease. Then we go to St. Louis and hang a big target around our necks.”
Everybody laughed. Anima said, “Okay, the black queen is loose on the chessboard.”
I looked up and said, “What?”
Anima climbed to her feet. She had her high heels with the more than 12-centimeter very thin pointy heel. Her only other clothing was what a public relations aide of my father’s with whom I was briefly acquainted described to me as a ‘thong.’
She asked, “Play much chess, Eddy?”
I answered, “Just a little. Phillip loved the game. He forced me. He played hour after hour with his AI when he was scouting.”
Anima smiled as she said, “It’s how I kept sane. I played in my head then I found bits of wood and rocks. I used them for pieces as I set up problems.”
I replied, “Good idea, Anima, but it won’t work. The board we are dealing with doesn’t have 64 squares; it has an infinite number of squares with infinite number of pieces.”
She looked really exasperated as she said, “Oh bullshit, Eddy. Now you’re just being a crybaby.”
I was intrigued so I gestured for her to continue. Anima continued, “Actually less than 64 squares and we need to talk about the pieces. Can I get a holo here please?”
I said, “Aella, give her what she needs.”
Anima said, “Squares are places like The Wastes, St. Louis, Clement, Athens, Alpha One, the ‘fac’ planets and Caddis.”
As she named them, Aella floated them in the air. She gave them approximate locations corresponding to their spatial ones.
I asked, “Alpha One?”
Molly answered, “Main raider headquarters world.”
Carlisa piped up, “That’s why the raider leaders killed the women they spent time with before they left Ronnie’s. So no information would be overheard.”
I said, “Yes, but you probably still know more than you think. Just don’t work too hard to dredge it up there’s lot’s of bad baggage that comes with it.
“Okay, so we have those as starting points.”
Anima responded, “Pieces are simple: Raiders, smugglers, Demarest, Quintin, Navy, Shark.”
As she spoke Aella put up a chess piece with the relevant crest or identifier. Shark was again black queen. Quintin was the king.
Suddenly there was another babble of voices, but this was different. My crew and I saw this as a doable task not impossible. Difficult and dangerous but possible. We began discussing the hologram and our task.
Andrea spoke for all of us, “Anima that was a stunning analysis. I was ready to give up.”
Anima replied, “I had time to think. Eddy would like revenge. All the women held in captivity by Ronnie and the crew of Reprisal also want it, but more!”
I replied, “We can’t just be in the revenge business, my love. It leaves such a sterile existence when the quest for that revenge is over.”
Molly spoke up. “Eddy’s right. I can’t spend my life chasing revenge. On the other hand, if Eddy and Anima are correct, we aren’t talking about raiders but a threat to the very empire. Our empire, family, houses and all that we own or would desire are at risk.”
The silence was stunning and absolute as we contemplated Molly’s statement.
Anima started as she stared at the holo-display. She asked:
“What are the pink lines through ‘The Wastes?’”
Aella increased the size of the holo as she and Daisy explained my ‘rut’ theory. We were all intrigued to see pink tracks in the holo. Anima laughed:
“Game trails, Eddy. You must be a hunter.”
I asked, “How do you know about game trails?”
Anima answered, “Daddy is an obsessive big game hunter. Wait until you see our house on Athens filled with his trophy mounts. I had to listen to him and even accompany him on his hunts.”
She pointed at an intersection of pink pathways just outside of Empire space and said, “We wait here for them, this is the choke point.”
She looked at me as she pointed to a broad pink expanse pointed toward one planet. “Too bad you fucked up the water hole.”
We all looked puzzled.
“Ronnie’s base was a recreation area for all the raiders - their ‘water hole.’”
Carlisa said, “Maybe not too bad for us.”
I looked around the bridge. My crew of Amazons was engaged. We now knew that we could find their trails. Our task was definitely possible. We were off to Caddis to train and become a cohesive unit.
Anima looked at me as she again said, “Shark is the
black queen in this chess match, and the black queen is loose on the
chessboard.”