“Report?” Nathan asked as he entered the bridge from his ready room. He was feeling a bit anxious despite the fact that he was pretty sure what to expect. The hours had been long over the last few days, but they had still been a welcome break from the chaos that had preceded them.
“Short-range just picked up a contact,” Jessica reported. “He’s still a ways out, but he’s headed straight for us, and fast.”
“Is it our guest?” The question was directed at Jalea, who had just stepped onto the bridge and came to stand beside Nathan and Jessica. She looked at the tactical display in front of Jessica, trying to determine the identity of the ship. She was still unfamiliar with the way the Aurora’s systems displayed information.
“It is most likely him,” Jalea told them. “But I cannot be sure without making voice contact.”
“Suggest we go to battle stations, sir,” Jessica urged. “With our limited crew and weapons, better safe than sorry.”
“Agreed.”
“Captain,” Jalea protested. “It is important that you take no actions that might provoke him. If he changes his mind about helping us, I cannot promise that anyone else will.”
“He’s still coming in awfully fast,” Jessica warned.
Nathan could sense the tension in Jessica’s voice. She was usually quite calm in such situations, and if there was a hint of concern, Nathan felt it best to follow her advice.
“Sound general quarters,” he ordered. “But do not deploy the rail guns yet.”
They weren’t exactly the orders she had hoped for, but Jessica understood his reasons. The incoming vessel was relatively small, and as of yet had shown no signs of aggression other than its rapid approach.
“General quarters, no weapons deployment. Aye, sir.” Jessica activated the ship-wide alert system. Status light panels located on overhead beams, above hatchways, and embedded in walls and bulkheads throughout the ship all suddenly changed from green to red, as the communications officer announced, “General quarters, general quarters. All hands assume combat stations.”
“Time to intercept?” Nathan asked.
“One minute,” Jessica answered. “He’s still not slowing down.”
“Is that him?” Cameron asked as she entered the bridge.
“We don’t know yet,” Nathan said.
“How can you not know?” Cameron wondered aloud as she took her station at the helm.
“All stations manned and ready,” Jessica updated. “Thirty seconds to intercept.”
All eyes were on the main view screen that wrapped around the front half of the bridge. The approaching ship started as nothing more than a tiny speck, hidden amongst all the other tiny specks against the starry background of space. It grew rapidly until its shape finally formed into something resembling a spacecraft, as it streaked past barely missing them.
“Jesus!” Nathan exclaimed. The bridge was located deep within the ship, but every time something streaked past them in such a manner, it made him want to duck.
“He’s coming back around,” Jessica reported. “He’s making another pass.”
Jessica grimaced, clenching her teeth. Nathan could see that it was taking every ounce of willpower on her part to refrain from blasting the cocky little ship into a million pieces. “Steady, Ensign,” Nathan mumbled as he leaned over the tactical console next to her, watching the display. Jessica just sneered at him.
“Message coming in,” the communications officer announced.
“Put it on,” Nathan ordered as he straightened back up.
“Aurora, this is Tobin Marsh. I will land on your flight deck.” The signal immediately clicked off.
“Channel closed, sir,” the comm officer reported.
“Arrogant little shit, isn’t he?” Jessica muttered. After spending the last two years amongst the testosterone-filled special operations cadre, she had yet to become accustomed to the more well-mannered atmosphere of the bridge.
“He merely seeks to establish a position of strength before sitting down to negotiate the terms of his assistance,” Jalea explained. “It is to be expected.”
“He’s coming around again, more slowly this time,” Jessica reported. “Looks like he’s doing just what he said. He’s going to land.”
“Get down there and meet him, Jess,” Nathan ordered. “Then bring him to the briefing room.”
“Yes, sir,” she acknowledged as she departed.
Nathan turned to Jalea. “You’re sure about this guy?”
“As I said before, this is not the first time we have utilized his services.”
“Well he sure likes to make an entrance,” Cameron added.
Jessica came to the bottom of the ramp to find her partner from special operations, Enrique Mendez, waiting for her. He carried a standard issue close-quarters automatic weapon slung over his shoulder and a hand gun holstered on his belt.
“Miss me?” Enrique held out a weapon for Jessica, smiling at her as she approached. It was the standard Mister Charming smile that he always tried on the ladies. She had always told him that it didn’t work, but he never listened.
“Medical already cleared you for duty?” She looked at his hip, noticing the abnormal bulge from the bandage under his trousers.
“I didn’t ask,” he admitted. Jessica shot him a disapproving glance as she took the weapon from him. “Hey, I’m good to go, baby.”
“Is that right?” Jessica patted the bulge on his thigh where he had been wounded a few days ago as she passed by, causing him to wince slightly.
“Damn, Jess. Play nice, now,” he scolded as he fell in behind her.
They continued down the corridor, entering the main hatch to the hangar bay. Inside there were two marines, Sergeants Weatherly and Holmes. Thus far, other than Enrique, Weatherly and Holmes were the only other people on board she was sure could shoot straight.
“Should only be one guy on this thing,” she announced as she entered. “But he appears to be a bit on the arrogant side. Either way, let’s play it safe. Got it?”
“Yes, sir,” they both agreed.
“Enrique, you and Holmes take starboard. We’ll go port side. Forty-five degree attack angles. If it gets ugly, try to maim, not kill.” She didn’t wait for a response, instead immediately trotting off to her right and making her way down the sides of the hangar bay until she reached a good position behind some large containers on the port side of the bay, facing aft. Across the bay from her, Enrique and Holmes were taking up similar positions.
“We’re in position,” she announced to the bridge over her comm-set.
“Copy, the airlock is nearly cycled. The doors should be opening momentarily,” Nathan reported over the comms.
A few moments later, the massive door on the center transfer airlock began sliding up into the ceiling, along with the sound of the gears and motors driving it. Beyond the door was the same spacecraft that only minutes ago was buzzing about their ship like an annoying insect. They watched as the ship began to slowly roll forward from the transfer airlock into the hangar bay. Once clear of the airlock, the door automatically closed again, ready for another recovery. Even though they had left Earth without any of their auxiliary spacecraft, the airlocks were automated so as to enable the launch and recovery of spacecraft even during complete control failures.
Unlike the time she had lain in wait for the arrival of Marak’s ship a few days ago, this time the hangar was fully lit, and she made no attempt to conceal her position from their guest. As a counter to his arrogance, she wished him to be fully aware that his presence did not intimidate them. It was simply another angle of the psychological side of warfare that she had been taught in spec-ops.
The small ship rolled to a stop, its engines winding down as its systems vented unknown vapors. The ship had a long, cylindrical fuselage resembling a flattened cigar, with short stubby wings and a pair of tail-mounted engines. She had numerous maneuvering ports located all about her fuselage, but from what Jessica could see, the ship was unarmed.
A small boarding hatch about a meter aft of the cockpit windows suddenly swung downward, becoming a boarding ramp complete with small steps that folded out automatically as the hatch fully deployed. A slender man in his mid-thirties, with jet-black hair and a melodramatic goatee, stepped out through the hatch and looked about. He immediately saw the four weapons pointed at him from either side of the bay and assumed a submissive posture, his hands forward and held up, for all to observe their emptiness. “I carry no arms,” he announced. “I pose no threat to you.”
“Keep your hands up where I can see them, and we’ll have no problems,” Jessica instructed confidently.
The man looked at her for a moment, finally deciding that she was not the type that would have a problem pulling the trigger of her weapon if necessary. “As you wish,” he agreed, holding his hands up even higher and farther away from his body as he continued down the step ladder. “Please do not harm me. I am here at the request of Jalea Torren. She is with you. Is she not?”
“She is,” Jessica replied. The man continued toward her. “That’s far enough,” she added with more urgency. “Hands up on your head, please. Stay perfectly still, and everything will be fine.” Jessica rose from her cover and headed toward him, gesturing to Enrique to do the same. Weatherly and Holmes both stayed back, ready to cover the two ensigns should things turn bad.
Suddenly, the hatch to the man’s ship closed of its own accord, causing Jessica to stop in her tracks. “I told you not to move!” she warned.
“I did not. I assure you!” the man assured her. “It was automatic.”
“Is anything else going to move… automatically?” she asked, her weapon trained on his face.
“No, nothing. My ship was only securing itself.”
“Search him.”
Enrique approached cautiously and began patting him down, searching for hidden weapons.
The man looked surprised by the pat-down. “I assure you I am unarmed, as promised.”
“A girl can never be too careful,” she mused. The man returned her smile, recognizing her sarcasm.
“Indeed,” he answered. “I suppose you will now take me to see your captain?”
“Right this way,” Jessica instructed, gesturing for him to follow her partner.
Tobin Marsh strode confidently into the briefing room. Upon spotting Jalea, he extended his arms, taking her by the shoulders and giving her a polite kiss on each cheek as he spoke words that in their language were surely a charming and polite greeting. Their initial pleasantries concluded, she turned to face Nathan and Cameron, both of whom were standing on the opposite side of the table from them.
“Tobin Marsh,” Jalea began in English, “may I introduce Captain Nathan Scott and Commander Cameron Taylor of the Aurora.”
“It is my distinct pleasure to meet you both,” Tobin greeted in proper, although considerably accented English. His accent, although similar to Jalea’s, was somehow different. There was something a little less proper about his syntax, despite the fact that he was obviously trying very hard to speak perfect Angla, as they called it. “I trust my unorthodox arrival did not give you too much cause for alarm,” he added, casting a side-long glance at Jessica, who stood against the wall on the same side of the table as Nathan and Cameron. Tobin reached out his hand in greeting, shaking first Cameron’s and then Nathan’s.
“Yes, your style seemed a bit aggressive,” Nathan admitted politely. “But as we are new to this region of space, we tried not to attach undue significance.”
“You are? Of this I was not aware.” Tobin’s curiosity was evident. “From what region do you hail?”
Nathan could see the look of warning coming from Jessica’s eyes as he spoke. “Let’s just say, for now, that we come from quite far away.”
“Really? Now you do have my interest, Captain. Is your origin really such a secret?”
“We’ve only just met, sir. And for the time being, where we are from is not related to the services we seek. Unless, of course, knowledge of our origin is a condition of your service. If this is the case, we will not waste any more of your time.” Nathan was surprised at how easily both the statement and the appropriate body language he used to indicate his intent to depart the room had come to him. After all those years of watching his father in the political arena, apparently some of those skills had rubbed off on him.
“It is not a condition, Captain,” Tobin explained. He too was comfortable at such negotiations, showing no undue reaction to Nathan’s statements or posturing. “It was merely a curiosity, for which I apologize.” Tobin bowed his head in a polite gesture of concession to Nathan, indicating that he would yield to Nathan’s requirement for secrecy as to their point of origin. “Now, tell me, Captain. What services might you seek?”
“These people are in need of many things,” Jalea began. “Primarily a place of refuge where they might make repairs to their ship, as well as the procurement of food, and perhaps some supplies.” Jalea gave Tobin a stern look with her next statement. “And these services should be… discreet.”
“Yes, yes, as you said in your original message. These things are not difficult to provide,” Tobin assured them. “Especially in the Haven system. Discretion is why people come here, after all. However, as providing such services could put me at considerable risk, I would need to know exactly whose attention you wish to avoid.” Tobin smiled, knowing that on this point he could stand firm.
“We have had some unexpected, and unprovoked I might add, trouble… with a certain government,” Nathan explained.
“Yes. I observed the damage to your ship as I approached. It was quite a bit of trouble, it appears. I assume this government is the same one our friend Jalea here also does not have good relations with?”
Nathan found it amusing, in a disgusting sort of way, that negotiations, even on the other side of the galaxy, were still the same. “That would be a safe assumption.”
“I see.” Tobin stroked his goatee as he pretended to consider the request. Nathan knew full well that he would provide the services they were requesting. Tobin would not have flown for more than a day in a small ship had he not intended to conduct business with them.
“Then, you can provide these services?”
“Yes, Captain. I believe we can come to an agreement.”
“And what compensation do you require?” Nathan did not want to be surprised later.
“Please, Captain. I am only here because I have a life debt to not only Jalea, but many of her people as well.”
“No offense intended, Tobin. But surely, there must be a way for you to receive some sort of compensation. It seems only fair since your debt is not owed to us.”
“You understand me only too well, Captain. I can see that you are a man wiser than your years.” Tobin smiled again. Nathan decided not to speak further, waiting instead for the other shoe to fall. “You are correct. There is a way in which we can all come out ahead in this… situation. Tell me, Captain, how much has Jalea told you about Haven?”
“I’m afraid there has been little discussion about this system. We’ve been a bit busy the last few days. Perhaps you’d care to enlighten us?”
“Surely.” Tobin leaned back in his chair before beginning. “Haven is a refuge of sorts. It is a place where people, and ships, that seek safe and discreet harbor may come. It is also a center for unregistered trading, if you will, in various commodities.”
Nathan leaned toward Cameron as Tobin continued to describe his world. “Must be the space pirates you spoke of,” he jeered under his breath. Cameron rolled her eyes as Nathan turned his attention back to Tobin, who had not even noticed his sidebar.
“And it’s possible for us to hide there, even with so many ships in the area?”
“Haven’s primary business is the harvesting of her vast ring systems. There is only one planet in the Haven system, a gas giant with many moons. Haven City, and the only spaceport in the system, is on one of those moons. The planet’s rings are full of all manner of ores, minerals, and water ice. And the planet’s atmosphere is rich in many useful gases as well. Ships come from all over the quadrant to fill their holds with the resources harvested here, for which they pay a duty to the powers that control this system.”
“So there’s a government of sorts here?” Nathan was a bit concerned about the possible complications that might arise due to the presence of a local government.
“I wouldn’t call them a government, Captain. It’s more of a family business, so to speak. However, I would advise you to treat them with much the same respect that you might give to any legitimate government, if you understand my meaning.”
“Of course.”
“As far as hiding your ship, it is simply a matter of getting you authorization to harvest the rings like any other ship. As long as you have a proper transponder that identifies your ship, no one will give you a second look, I assure you. And there are so many ships traveling in and out of the rings on a daily basis that anything you do, short of armed combat, will go unnoticed.”
“And how does this arrangement benefit you?”
“Ah yes.” This brought a sly grin to Tobin’s face. “If you indeed intend to procure additional supplies from Haven City’s lucrative markets, you will need something of value to exchange. No offense intended, Captain, but your ship does not appear to be one that carries great wealth. While you are posing as a harvesting vessel, I will provide you with a harvesting team from Haven. They can use your ship as a staging platform from which to conduct harvesting operations. Some of the harvested materials can be used to purchase the supplies that you need, and some can be kept by you for your own purposes. And of course, some will be used to compensate the workers themselves, as well as a modest fee for myself, in exchange for acting as your intermediary.”
“I see,” Nathan responded. He looked at Cameron and Jalea. Neither of them offered any indication for or against Tobin’s proposal. He was afraid to look at Jessica, as he knew how she would feel about bringing more strangers on board. “Well, it is a very interesting offer. I trust you will not be insulted if I ask for a few minutes to discuss it with my staff?”
“Not at all, Captain. Not at all.”
“Thank you.” Nathan turned to Jalea. “Would you mind taking our guest for a stroll? We’ll contact you when we’re ready to speak further.”
“As you wish, Captain.” Jalea rose from the table and headed for the exit.
“I will await your decision, Captain,” Tobin announced as he stood.
“I’ll try not to keep you waiting.” Nathan offered a sincere smile as Tobin and Jalea left the room, one of the marines following them out the door. Nathan held one hand up, indicating for Jessica and Cameron to wait until after the door closed before speaking.
“Okay, let’s hear it,” Nathan said after the door closed.
“I don’t trust either one of them,” Cameron stated.
“Well that goes without saying,” Nathan agreed, leaning back in his chair. “But we have to do something. We can’t just sit out here in the middle of nowhere.”
“Why not?” Cameron asked. “Not forever, of course. But why can’t we just sit out here and fix everything we can before we move on? It’s safer than flying into that system full of who- knows-what.”
“What are we going to do for food, Cam? We’re down to nuts and dried fruit. And we’ll be out of that in another day or two.”
“I don’t know, Nathan. Maybe there’s something we can trade for some food. Maybe have this Tobin character ferry something out to us.”
“I don’t think that’s what he has in mind. He’s obviously angling for a larger score here.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Cameron insisted.
Nathan turned to look at Jessica. “Well, you’re awfully quiet. Surely you’ve got something to say about all this?”
Jessica, who had been leaning against the wall the entire time, stepped over to the table and sat on the edge, turning to face the two of them. “Look, the whole setup stinks, there’s no doubt about it. But I don’t see as we have much choice. We need food. We need supplies. But more importantly, we need intelligence. And a hell of a lot more of it than Jalea is willing to dole out. We’re not gonna jump or blast our way back to Earth. We have to think our way home. And to do that, we need to know exactly what we’re up against. And that means we can’t just hide out here in the void. We have to bump elbows with the locals. We have to interact. That’s the only way to gather reliable intel.”
Nathan looked at Cameron. “She’s right, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” Cameron was obviously frustrated. The situation they were about to fly into was full of unknowns, which was something Cameron did not care for. “I just wish we knew more beforehand.”
“I think that’s the point she’s trying to make.” Nathan turned back to Jessica. “So what do you propose?”
“We need boots on the ground. Our own eyes and ears soaking up as much intel as possible.”
“Are you proposing you go down to the surface?”
“I’m proposing we go down there. Along with some backup, of course.”
“Me? Why me?” Nathan was a bit shocked that she had suggested he go with her.
“Well, you seem to have a knack with negotiations. You’re good with people. But you’re not that observant of what’s going on around you.”
“I’ll try to work on that,” he promised.
“That’s where I come in.”
“You’re assuming he has room for all of you in that little ship of his,” Cameron pointed out.
“Well, if he doesn’t, I’m sure he can find one that does,” Jessica said. “It doesn’t sound like we’re gonna be too far away from this Haven place.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Nathan said, looking at each of them. It was obvious that Jessica was in agreement. It was equally obvious that Cameron was not.
“Sorry, Cam. Two against one, you lose,” he smiled. “Call them back in,” he said to Jessica.
“This isn’t a democracy,” Cameron reminded him, a scowl on her face. “You’re the captain. You don’t ask for a vote.”
“Hey, gimme a break. I’m new at this, remember?”
Moments later, Tobin and Jalea returned to the briefing room, their escort in tow. After routine pleasantries were exchanged, Nathan spoke. “We’ve decided to accept your offer, Mister Marsh. But there are a few conditions.” Tobin gave no indication that he intended to speak, so Nathan continued. “First, all personnel that you provide shall be restricted to the hangar deck, without exception. Anyone caught off the hangar deck will be forcibly detained, at a minimum. Second, all activity on the hangar deck will be closely monitored by armed personnel who will have standing orders to use deadly force if necessary.” A stern look came over Nathan’s face. “In this there can be no negotiation. We are in unknown space. And by your own description Haven is not exactly a safe place, especially for strangers such as ourselves. I trust these conditions will be acceptable.”
“Of course, Captain. I understand your need to maintain the security of your vessel. Especially considering your recent governmental entanglements,” he put delicately.
“And lastly, if there is room in your vessel, a few of us would like to accompany you to the surface, to take a look around, so to speak.”
This did cause a reaction from Tobin. “Captain, you yourself just acknowledged that Haven is not the safest of worlds, especially for strangers. Going there does not seem worth the risk at this point. Haven can be a very dangerous place.”
“I suspect we’ll be able to handle ourselves should something unexpected occur. But I appreciate your concern.”
Tobin could see that Nathan was adamant in his desire to visit the surface of Haven and decided it was best not to press him on the issue. “As you wish, Captain. I can accommodate up to six passengers in my ship. However, due to the space restrictions, I would suggest waiting until you are in position within the rings of Haven before transferring to the surface.”
“Of course,” Nathan agreed. “And as for your compensation. We are only interested in whatever portion of harvested resources are required to pay for what supplies we are able to procure while on Haven. Anything else you and your people are able to haul away you are welcome to divide however you wish.”
Tobin’s eyes widened slightly at Nathan’s surprising offer. “That is very generous of you, Captain. Might I inquire as to how long you intend to remain in our system?”
“Only as long as is necessary to obtain the supplies we seek. To remain longer would be… unwise.” Nathan smiled.
“Very well then, Captain. It appears we have an arrangement,” he stated, standing and offering his hand to seal the deal.
“It appears so,” Nathan agreed, shaking Tobin’s hand.
“Might I inquire as to how long it will take your ship to reach Haven?”
Nathan turned to look at Cameron. “About seven hours,” she told them.
“I understand that you have a transponder for us to use?”
“Yes. Once installed, it will identify you as a Volonese cargo ship,” Tobin explained. “They are varied and not uncommon in this region of space. Even if inspected visually, it is doubtful anyone would become suspicious. And if they did, Volon is sufficiently distant that verification of your identity would take far longer than your planned stay in our system.”
“And how long will it take to install this device?”
“Less than an hour, I would expect. I will require the assistance of one of your technicians.”
“I’ll see to it,” he assured Tobin. “Jalea, would you please take Mister Marsh to Engineering. I will contact the chief engineer and let him know you’re coming.”
Jalea nodded, rose, and led Tobin out of the room, again with their armed escort trailing them. Once they had left the room, Nathan turned to Jessica.
“You don’t have to say it,” she said before he could speak. “I’ll make sure they’re both under constant scrutiny,” she promised on her way out.
“Thanks.” Nathan turned to Cameron. The look on her face told of her disapproval of his plan. “I know, Cam. I’m not crazy about it either. Just tell Abby to always have an escape jump plotted and ready, just in case.”
“You bet,” she agreed as she rose to exit.
“We’ll get underway just as soon as that transponder is installed and working.”
“Yes, sir,” she half-heartedly agreed as she headed out of the briefing room. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
“So do I,” he admitted. Nathan leaned back in his chair and let out a long slow breath. His mind was racing at the thought of what lie ahead. Only days ago, they had left Earth on what they thought was a routine training cruise. After an unexpected string of events, they were now stranded a thousand light years from home, in a busted up ship, with only a fraction of their crew-and they were almost out of food. And they still had no idea how they were going to get home. At least now, however, they might not starve to death.
“Perhaps the code you entered is not working?” Vladimir was frustrated. They had been attempting to get the transponder provided by Tobin to work with the Aurora’s navigational beacon for over an hour, and he was beginning to lose his patience with the alien technology.
“It will work,” Tobin insisted. “It will just take time. Your ship is still well outside the system. At this distance, it will take several hours for the signal to reach Haven, and then for the confirmation signal to travel back out to us.”
“And why do we need this device?”
“All ships entering the system must register with the system controllers. This requires you to spend several hours in port undergoing thorough inspections, creating trader accounts-it is all very involved and would not serve your need for discretion. This device will identify your ship as belonging to a small company that occasionally comes to harvest the rings. When they receive the signal from this transponder, the controllers will simply log you into their tracking system, tallying up charges as you conduct business within the system. No one will ever give you a second glance.”
“Charges? We have to pay charges? What happens if we cannot pay?” Vladimir wondered. He was pretty sure there were no funds to speak of on board the Aurora.
“That would not be wise,” Tobin warned. “The family that currently controls Haven is not known for their forgiveness.”
“How did you get this device?”
“Anyone can purchase a transponder,” Tobin explained. “It is the codes that are difficult to acquire without going through the registration process. Luckily, I know the right people, in the right places.” Tobin smiled.
“It is that easy?” Vladimir wasn’t sure he believed everything the stranger was telling him.
“I did not say it was easy,” Tobin corrected. “But Haven offers many things, if one knows where to look.”
Vladimir also smiled, as he realized that no matter where you went, there was always a black market of some kind. Apparently it was no different in this part of the galaxy.
“I believe everything is in working order,” Tobin assured him as he punched in a code. Upon pressing the last key, the display on the device went blank for a moment, and then a single word appeared. It was in bold and flashed three times before becoming steady. But it was in Angla, which although similar in its spoken form, used some odd variations in characters.
“What does that mean?” Vladimir asked.
“The device is now locked,” Tobin announced nonchalantly.
“Locked? In what way?” Vladimir was not sure he liked the sound of that.
“Unless the code is locked, it will not appear to be valid to the controllers.”
Vladimir still did not like the idea of anything being locked. But Tobin’s explanation made sense. “How will we know it is safe to proceed?”
“When your ship approaches Haven, if you are not attacked, you will know.”
Vladimir looked at Tobin, his eyes wide and his brow raised in doubt.
“Do not worry, it will be fine. I have done this many times,” Tobin assured him.
“I’m sorry. I do not mean to doubt you. It just seems too easy.”
“Yes, of course. But you must understand, the family does not really care if you are who you say you are. They only care that they get paid. As long as they receive their compensation, they will not question your identity.” Tobin chuckled. “Corruption has its advantages.” Tobin stood, satisfied that the installation had been completed. “You may tell your captain it is now safe to enter the system.”
“Bridge, Engineering,” Vladimir’s voice called over the comm-system.
Nathan stood beside the communications officer, who was still using the port auxiliary station until the regular comm station at the rear of the bridge was repaired. He gestured to the comm officer to open the channel before he spoke. “Yeah, Vlad. Go ahead.”
“Nathan, the transponder is installed, and I am told it is working properly. Tobin says we can get underway whenever we are ready.”
“Very well. Bridge out.” Nathan turned back toward Jessica, who was standing at the tactical station. “Any contacts in the area?”
“Not since Tobin arrived,” she answered.
“Kaylah, is that thing transmitting?” Nathan asked Ensign Yosef, the science officer who had been manning the sensors for the last few days.
“Yes, sir, it is. Regular pulses, wide band, omni-directional. However, that signal will take several hours to reach Haven, sir.”
“So we’ll arrive shortly after the signal does?”
“Yes, sir, by a few hours, depending on our approach velocity.”
Nathan turned to look at Jalea, who was standing at the rear of the bridge, near the port entrance. “Can they see us out here?”
“I do not believe they regularly scan this far beyond their own borders. They would have no reason to do so. And even if they did, a single ship this far out would be difficult to spot. Especially one that is not moving.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t look like we’ve just been sitting out here all this time,” Jessica added. “It might look suspicious.”
“Good thinking,” Nathan commended. “Cameron? I assume you’ve already plotted a course into the system?”
“Of course,” she responded. “Hours ago.”
“Doctor Sorenson?” Nathan turned to face her. “You have an escape jump plotted?”
“About a dozen variations, all along our proposed route into the system,” she assured him.
“Very well.” Nathan thought for a moment, hoping that they weren’t about to make a mistake. “Let’s get underway. Communications, alert all hands to prepare for acceleration.”
“Aye, sir,” the comm officer acknowledged.
“Helm, take us to Haven. Bring her up to maximum velocity as quickly as possible then start a gradual deceleration curve. I want us to look like we just dropped out of FTL on our way in.”
“Aye, Captain. Bringing her up sharply to maximum sub-light velocity.” As Cameron began entering commands at the helm station, the comm officer’s voice could be heard in the background as he warned the crew to brace for sudden acceleration. The Aurora’s inertial dampeners were still not fully repaired, and Nathan had to hold on to the tactical console to keep from falling over as the main engines were quickly brought up to maximum thrust levels. The ship lurched forward and began to accelerate quickly, forcing Nathan to shakily make his way to the command chair in order to avoid falling.
“How long will it take us to reach Haven?” he asked as he plopped down into his chair at the center of the bridge.
“About six hours.” Due to their insufficient numbers, Cameron was forced to serve as both pilot and navigator, on top of her responsibilities as executive officer. Nathan had offered to handle the navigation for her, but unless the situation warranted otherwise, she felt better managing on her own. Although there was no denying Nathan’s natural piloting abilities, she had never been impressed with his navigational skills.
After a short period of acceleration at full power, the ship reached her maximum sub-light speed. “Velocity at point seven-five light,” Cameron announced. “Mains are offline, beginning deceleration burn.”
Cameron brought the main engines offline, and began a slow, steady deceleration burn using the forward braking thrusters. The burn would take nearly five hours to complete, bringing them down to just the right velocity and allowing them to be captured by the gravity well of the gas giant that Haven orbited. Compared to the main engines, the noise and sensation of the deceleration burn was almost non-existent, making it easy for the crew to move about the ship without fear of losing their footing.
“Very well. Secure from acceleration stations.”
“We are now entering the Haven system, Captain,” Ensign Yosef announced.
“Let’s hope that thing works,” Nathan muttered.
The Medical section, although still full of patients, was at least clean and orderly once again. The chaos that had lasted more than twenty-four hours had finally subsided, and Doctor Chen and a handful of volunteers had managed to get a workable routine in place. She had expanded her facility by having the crew quarters nearest to medical evacuated in order to turn them into long-term care rooms, nearly tripling her capacity. But it was a challenge to routinely check on every patient under her care, even with the assistance of others as well as every piece of monitoring gear they could get their hands on. She had even taken some of the bio-monitors from EVA suits to monitor patients in nearby rooms.
Despite the young physician’s best efforts, they had still lost another three members of their crew over the last two days. One of them had not been expected to survive his wounds. But the injuries of the other two had not been that severe. They had succumbed to infections due to the lack of medicine on board, something that never would have happened in a proper hospital.
Nathan had come by to check on Doctor Chen and her patients at least once per day, usually under the guise of having his own wound checked. But she knew better. He was coming to check on his crew. She knew that he still felt guilty for every one of their injuries, and even more so for the ones that had not survived. Admittedly, she had also blamed him at first. But as details of the chain of events that had befallen them became available, she realized that he had done the best he could under unbelievably difficult circumstances. She knew it had not been his fault, as did most of the crew. She also knew that he would continue to blame himself for some time to come.
She was not surprised when Nathan again walked into the main treatment area, stopping by each bed to spend a moment with the members of his crew. She expected that he didn’t really have the spare time to spend visiting patients. Surely he had many other things to attend to that were of higher priority. But perhaps he needed these visits as much, if not more so, than her patients did.
She had seen this type of behavior before. During her internship back on Earth, she had spent time as a volunteer in a field hospital located near a border dispute between two warring tribal nations. Despite the global unity that had come about due to the discovery of the Data Ark, there had still been a few places on Earth where lands were controlled by the tribes that had lived on them for centuries. A group of about fifty soldiers had been overrun by the enemy, and the unit’s commander had also spent considerable time in the treatment wards visiting his wounded soldiers. The look on his face had been similar to the one she now saw on Nathan’s.
She waited at the far end of the room for him to make his rounds, using his visit as an excuse to take a break herself. She sat in the utility room on the far side of the treatment area, watching through the doorway. She had a stash of nuts and dried fruit on which to nibble from time to time. She hadn’t sat down and eaten a proper meal in several days, and sleep had only come in short naps at best.
It took Nathan nearly half an hour to visit everyone in the treatment area. She had no idea if he ever managed to visit the others recuperating in nearby cabins. She simply assumed he had.
“How’s the leg?” she asked as he entered the utility room.
“Pretty much healed, I expect,” he bragged, bouncing slightly on it as if testing its sturdiness. “I’m not limping any more, and it only throbs a bit from time to time.”
“Yeah, it’ll probably do that for a few more days. It’s a side effect of the bone-knitting serum. It’ll pass.”
“What about you? How are you holding up?”
“I’ve been better,” she chuckled. “But I’m managing to snack here and there, and take quick naps. Eventually everyone will stabilize enough that I can get a bit more rest. But until then, I’ll survive.” She took a sip from a bottle of water before continuing. “So how’s it going out there?”
“That’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. We’re headed for a world called Haven.”
“That explains the acceleration. You might want to give us more than a few seconds warning next time. It takes us a few minutes to prepare for something like that down here,” she scolded.
Nathan suddenly felt guilty. “Sorry about that. It never occurred to me,” he admitted.
“So why are we going to this place, anyway?”
“We’re using a local contact of Jalea’s to try and get some food and supplies. I was wondering if there was anything in particular you might need.”
“Another doctor would be nice,” she said, only half-joking.
“From the sounds of this place, I doubt that’s possible.”
Doctor Chen shrugged. “Real food would be nice. I’d ask for medicine and such, but I don’t like the idea of using strange substances on my patients. I’ve got enough trouble as it is.”
“Food is at the top of the list,” he told her. “And as much as we can get of it.”
“By the way,” she added. “Make sure anyone who goes down to the surface comes by for medical screenings when they get back. We don’t want to bring any strange diseases on board.”
The idea had also never occurred to Nathan, just like a lot of things recently. Every time one of them came up, it served to remind him how unqualified he was to be in command. “Yeah, Doc, I’ll make sure we do that.”
Despite the fact that they had no prepared meals left to eat, Nathan and Vladimir still managed to meet for lunch each day. It was an excuse to take a break from their seemingly endless duties, and it provided Nathan with a way to keep up on the status of repairs without having to constantly nag Vladimir for progress reports. Although he was a gifted engineer and systems technician, getting him to write even the shortest of reports was like pulling teeth. Considering all there was to do just to keep the ship running-let alone trying to repair her-it was understandable.
Until this morning, they had been down to nuts and dried fruit in the pantry, and even that had needed to be rationed. Cameron, who was turning out to be quite a resourceful executive officer, had realized that all the escape pods were fully loaded with dehydrated meal kits. They weren’t the tastiest things around, but all you needed was a cup of hot water and you had a filling meal. Since they had at least fifty escape pods and only a skeleton crew, it would buy them some time. Nathan didn’t want to use all of the escape pod rations for fear that they might someday need to use the pods for their intended purpose. So they had used EVA suits to access the escape pods in the forward section of the ship, which was still open to the vacuum of space. Until that portion of the ship was repaired, no one would be using those escape pods.
“What’s on the menu today?” Nathan picked up the meal pouch that Vladimir had dropped on the table in front of him, giving it a look. It didn’t appear terribly appetizing.
“Something with noodles,” Vladimir said. “But it is supposed to have meat in it,” he added as he set the small pot of boiling hot water on the table between them. Nathan peeled back the cover on the container and poured in some of the hot water.
“Anything is better than nuts and dried fruit,” Nathan insisted as he stirred the contents to thoroughly distribute the hot water.
“We hope. But it cannot be as bad as a meal-replacement bar,” Vladimir added as he stirred his meal.
“So, how go the repairs?” It was the first question that Nathan always asked, as it usually took Vladimir most of their brief meal period to explain everything he and his staff were doing.
“It is going. Everything that can be fixed is being fixed. But for many systems we will need to manufacture new components in order to repair them. We have several component printers and even some machining equipment stored in the hangar bay, but they have not yet been installed. But, we have propulsion and maneuvering, and we have most of the rail guns working. Even some of the ones that were not yet connected-they are also working-thanks to Danik and Allet.”
“Who?”
“The two rebel engineers,” Vladimir explained. “How do you call them, Karuzari? They are very good. They are working in the torpedo room now. They will have the port auto-loaders ready soon. Maybe even the aft loaders as well. The starboards tubes, however, they are badly damaged and will not be available for some time.”
“Oh, I was wrong,” Nathan said, his face souring as he took his first taste of his reconstituted meal. His face took on a sour expression. “Fruit and nuts are better.”
“Hey, at least it has meat in it,” Vladimir exclaimed as he began to shovel the reconstituted mixture into his mouth. “Although I am not sure what kind.”
“So these guys are that good, huh?”
“Oh yes! They even improved the power transfer to the rail guns, increasing their rate of fire by ten percent. They could boost it more, but there are other priorities.” Vladimir stopped shoveling food into his mouth for a moment, adding, “You know, our systems appear to be very simple to them.”
“Damn, this really is bad,” Nathan stated, not sure he could finish his meal kit.
“Stop whining. It is food. Listen, Nathan, you are going down to the surface of Haven, yes?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“What is it you are going to do there?”
“Try and get some food and supplies, and some intel if possible. Why?”
“I think I should go down there as well.”
“Why?”
“According to Tobin, there is a vigorous black market there. Perhaps I can find some interesting technology? Maybe something that would be of use to us?”
“You think that’s possible?” The idea had not occurred to Nathan.
“I think it is worth a look. We could use many things right now.”
“Aren’t you busy here?”
“Most important things are working,” he insisted. “And my people will continue working in my absence.”
“Yeah, okay. I don’t see why not.”
“I would like to bring Danik and Allet as well. They would be helpful in locating useful technology. Besides, it was Danik’s idea,” Vladimir admitted.
“Well, I’m not sure we can bring them both. There’s only room for six passengers on Tobin’s shuttle. And Jessica wants to take some muscle along. But I agree it would be a good idea. Maybe you can just bring one of them?”
“You were right, Nathan,” Vladimir admitted.
“About only bringing one of them?”
“No, this stuff is bad. Very bad.”
“Have you been sleeping in here?” Jessica asked, noticing the pillow and blanket on the couch as she followed Nathan into the captain’s ready room. “You have quarters, you know.”
“They’re all the way down on C deck. It’s easier to just take naps here,” he explained.
“No, I meant the captain’s quarters? They’re right down the hall.”
Nathan shook his head, his expression changing to one of trepidation. “No, too soon,” he protested, waving his hands slightly.
“Wuss,” she muttered as she plopped down on the couch. Just like everyone else on board, she had gotten very little sleep over the last few days.
“That’s Captain Wuss to you, Ensign.”
“Yeah, I was gonna ask you about that. Don’t you think your Chief of Security should at least be a lieutenant?”
“Why? You looking to be next in line for command if Cam and I get killed?”
“Hell no! Just looking for a raise in pay.”
“Let’s wait and see how long you keep the job.”
“What’s that supposed to mean!”
“What’s what supposed to mean?” Cameron asked as she entered.
“Nothing. How far out are we?” Nathan asked.
“A couple hours.”
“You guys get a chance to take a break and eat something?” Nathan looked at them both, seeing that neither of them indicated they had so much as left the bridge since their last meeting several hours ago.
“Well, see to it that you at least get some food into you,” he insisted. “Both of you. And stay away from the noodle and meat thingy. Trust me on this,” he added as he sat down behind his desk. “So, have we given any thought as to what we’re going to be shopping for on Haven?”
“Well, food is the number one priority,” Cameron began. “And one of the environmental systems techs suggested that we look for some seasonings and spices as well. He used to be a chef before he joined the Fleet. Makes sense that if we’re going to start cooking local food, we might want some local spices to go with it.”
“Yeah. Doctor Chen pointed out to me earlier that we are setting foot on an alien world, with a race of people that although human, could carry many diseases that our immune systems aren’t ready for. She suggested we take caution while on the surface. She also wants everyone who goes to the surface to report for a full medical screening when we get back. So I was thinking, we probably should go over any consumables we bring on board before we start eating them.”
“Agreed,” Cameron said.
“She also gave me a list of possible pharmaceutical substitutes to be on the lookout for as well,” Nathan continued. “Antibiotics, pain killers, basic stuff like that. They were stocked up to normal peace-time levels when we left. But with all the wounded, she’s already running out of the basics. Two people died because of a lack of antibiotics.”
“You really think we’ll find something out here that’s safe for us to use?” Cameron wondered.
“Well, they’re humans, just like us. So it stands to reason that they’d have similar meds and such. And since we’re already seeing evidence of superior technology in some areas, maybe they have better medicines as well?”
“One can only hope,” Jessica added.
“I don’t know,” Cameron objected. “It sounds kind of risky to me.”
“She’s not too keen on the idea either. In fact, I pretty much had to talk her into it. But we don’t know how long we’re going to be out here or how often we’re going to have an opportunity like this.”
“Anything else?” Cameron asked, taking notes on her data pad.
“Yeah, Vladimir wants to go down and check out the local black market for useful technologies.”
Jessica had not been paying close attention to the conversation, until Nathan mentioned the black market. “Whoa, that might not be such a hot idea,” she warned. “Black markets tend to be fairly dangerous places to hang out. At least on Earth they are. And Vlad doesn’t seem like the right personality type to work the black market-too friendly and outspoken, you know?”
“He wanted to bring the rebel engineers with him as guides. He seems to have a lot of confidence in them.”
“I don’t know about that either,” Jessica warned. “I haven’t really dealt with them all that much. But if they’re anything like their lady friend, I wouldn’t trust them any farther than I can throw them.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Nathan admitted. “But the more I think about it, the more I think that Vlad is right. With their understanding of both the local technology and our own, they would be invaluable down there. Maybe it’s worth the risk?”
“Is there even room?” Cameron asked.
“Well, there’s only room for six passengers, according to Tobin. So maybe we leave some muscle behind?”
“No way,” Jessica insisted. “I’d rather take the muscle than some shifty rebel.”
Nathan was a little surprised by her characterization of the rebels, but he understood her point. He had selected her as his interim security chief because of her training in such matters, so he felt it best to heed her advice. “Very well, you keep your two guys. I’ll have Vladimir bring only one of the rebels with us.”
The comm-system buzzer sounded. “Captain, Bridge,” the communications officer called.
Nathan stabbed at the comm with his finger. “Go ahead.”
“Captain, communications. Incoming message from Haven Control, sir.”
“Very well, call Jalea and Tobin to the bridge. We’ll be there shortly.” Nathan broke the connection before continuing. “Then we’re settled on this?” Jessica shrugged in resignation. Cameron simply nodded. “Great. Let’s go see what Haven Control wants.”
Nathan, Cameron, and Jessica filed out of the ready room and onto the bridge just as the communications officer put the incoming message up on the loudspeaker.
“Volander, Volander, Haven Control, please respond.” The message continued to repeat, with the exact same cadence and tone, making Nathan wonder if it was a recorded hail. He was about to respond when Jalea and Tobin entered.
“Captain,” Tobin interrupted. “Perhaps it would be best if I spoke with them?”
Nathan looked at Jalea, who nodded, and then Jessica, who shrugged. “Very well,” he agreed, stepping aside.
Tobin stepped up to the communications station, waiting for the comm officer to indicate the channel was open and ready.
“Haven Control, this is Volander.”
“Volander, why was your response delayed?” There was a sense of urgency in the controller’s voice that worried Nathan and Jessica, both of whom were standing close by.
“Apologies, Haven, but our deep-space communications array suffered damage in transit.”
“Volander, state you reasons for approach.”
“We seek to harvest from the rings, and to procure supplies from your local merchants.”
“Understood. Will you require local crews?”
“Affirmative, Volander shall require local crews.”
“Understood. Transmit your desired quotas and we will assign you a harvesting position.”
“We will transmit our quotas shortly. Volander out.” Tobin turned to face the captain. “That should do it.”
“Who’s Volander?” Jessica asked.
“The ship that originally used the codes entered into your transponder. It was reported missing many months ago.”
“What’s this ‘quota’ they were asking for?” Nathan inquired.
“They wish to know the amount of material we plan to harvest from the rings, in order to calculate the fees that will be due them upon your departure. A few hundred kilotons is a common amount.”
“Seems like a lot,” Nathan observed.
“Too little, and they will be suspicious as to your true intentions. Too much, and your fees will be difficult to pay,” Tobin warned.
Nathan was uneasy with the whole arrangement. He was sure that Tobin was getting far more out of the deal than he had let on. Nathan figured, for now, it was best to play along. He looked over at Jessica, whom he guessed was thinking the same thing. “Very well, transmit the amount you think best.”
“Tell them our quota will be three hundred kilotons,” Tobin informed the comm officer before turning back to Nathan. “That should take no more than a day or two to harvest, process, and sell on the surface to pay for your supplies.”
“Can we up the amount later if we needed?”
“You may, but it would probably raise undue suspicion.”
“We’re receiving navigational instructions, sir,” the comm officer reported.
“Feed them to navigation, Ensign.”
Cameron went to the navigation station and began plotting a course change. “They’re sending us to a fairly dense part of the rings, Captain. Not too far from the Haven colony moon itself. Should be a pretty good place to hide out for a while.”
“Very well. Take us in, Cam.” Nathan turned back to Tobin. “So how’s this going to work, again? You’re going to bring up some workers or something, and they’re going to work from here?”
“No need for concern, Captain. Very few ships that come to harvest the rings bring their own harvesting equipment and crews. There are many teams available for hire on Haven. They will bring their ships and workers here. The harvester will collect material from the rings and bring it to your hangar deck. There it will be off-loaded, sorted, and repackaged. Some goes to your hold, some goes back to Haven where it will be sold to pay for your supplies, as well as the workers doing the harvesting. It is quite common, and we get ships from all over the quadrant. The material in the rings is quite rich with precious metals and water ice. It is a unique and rare combination, as you will soon see.”
Nathan nodded his understanding. “Are we all set?” he asked Cameron.
“Course plotted and ready.”
“I’ll take us in,” he insisted. “You go and take a break. Get something to eat. You’re going to be in command while I’m gone, so this may be your last chance for a break for some time.”
“Okay. Then I’m headed for a shower and a meal,” Cameron announced as she headed out.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Jessica agreed. “I think I’ll do the same.
“Actually,” Tobin interrupted. “Where we’re going, being too clean might attract attention. It might be best if those going to the surface refrained from bathing until they returned.”
“Okay, good to know,” Nathan said.
“If there is nothing else for now, I will prepare my ship for departure,” Tobin announced, stepping back towards the exit. He waited for any objections, and once satisfied there were none, spun around and headed out the door.
Nathan looked at Jalea, who had been silent the entire time. “This all sound about right to you?” he asked.
Jalea looked puzzled by his phrasing for a moment until she deduced his meaning. “This is the way it is usually done in this system,” she assured him. “As long as we do nothing to attract attention, I do not expect any difficulties.”
Nathan nodded his understanding, as Jalea also turned and followed Tobin out.
“I wish I was as confident about this plan as they seem to be,” Cameron muttered as she passed. “Come on, Jessica. Let’s go get something to eat.”
Jessica turned to follow Cameron out. “That’s gonna be a long, smelly shuttle ride,” she said.
“Let’s go try out some of those meal kits they retrieved,” Jessica suggested as she caught up with Cameron in the corridor. She had grown tired of the nuts and dried fruit just like everyone else on board. Jessica noticed Cameron’s expression. She usually had a serious look on her face, but her current expression was more serious than usual, even for Cameron. “What’s bugging you?”
“I’m worried about your trip to Haven,” Cameron admitted.
“Piece of cake, boss. We swoop in, do a little shopping, ask a few strategic questions, and then haul-ass outta there. Standard tourist op,” Jessica assured her.
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” Cameron told her. “It’s Nathan. Or more specifically, it’s Jalea. I don’t like the influence she seems to have over him. I don’t trust her.”
“Well, duh. Who does?”
“He does,” Cameron stated.
“No, he doesn’t. At least not as much as you think,” Jessica insisted. “He’s just playing along with her, seeing where it takes us. He’s not as gullible as everyone thinks he is. He’s actually pretty good at reading people.”
“Yeah, I know he is. But he also tends to act too quickly, without thinking things through first. And from what I’m hearing, Haven is not the kind of place where you want to be acting impulsively.”
“Not to worry, Commander. I’ll have his back the whole time.” Jessica looked at Cameron, who said nothing. “Seriously, Cam. This is what I do, okay? He’s not going down there alone, you know. He’s going to have two spec-ops, a marine, and an ex-ground-pounder backing him up.” Cameron looked at her with a puzzled look on her face. “Oh, you didn’t know? Vlad spent four years in greens before he got into the academy. So you see, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If any trouble starts, Haven won’t know what the hell hit’em!”
Cameron was a bit surprised at her enthusiasm, unaware of Jessica’s desire to do field work. “Just don’t let him wander off by himself, or worse, just him and Jalea. I still don’t trust her.”
“You’ve got it, Commander. Eyes on the skipper twenty-four-seven,” she joked.
Cameron stopped in the middle of the corridor. “I mean it, Ensign.” Cameron looked dead on into Jessica’s eyes. “You stick to him like glue. Understood?” she ordered.
Jessica straightened up, her expression becoming more serious. “Yes, sir.” The two of them stood there staring at each other for a moment before Jessica finally spoke up again. “Can we go eat now?” A tiny smile began to form on the corner of Cameron’s mouth, as she turned to continue down the corridor toward the mess hall.