The Diary of a Space Scoundrel: The Calm Before the Storm
31 Mar 2020Seth Bradwell
I awake feeling slow and sluggish. I glance at the clock: 16:37?!? I jump in the sonic shower and get the grime of the previous three days off me. I dress in fresh clothing, my usual smart-casual fatigues and top, get a coffee from the autochef, and open comms to Morgan's ship:"Morgan, it's Seth. Sorry, failed to set an alarm. Missed anything?"
Silence greets me. I send the same message to his personal comms. Still nothing. I open up a channel to Milah Love:
"Milah, Seth Bradwell here. I appear to have overslept a bit. What's been happening?"
"Good morning, Seth." Milah responded sardonically. "I trust you slept well, after all you were awake for a long time - 41 hours by my calculations - and had been on the go pretty much all that time. Oh and don't worry about how long you were out, that is one of the milder side effects of those performance enhancers you used, when you finally need to rest, you really need to rest, and this especially goes when you use them to counter the effects of alcohol consumption. By the way, performance enhancers are a restricted substance on this station. I shall tolerate pilots keeping their own personal supplies on their ships, but bringing them into and consuming them on this station is strictly prohibited. We find that they bring us more problems than they solve, and that especially goes for the medical staff who have to deal with the complications arising from their use and abuse. Anyway, why don't you let me fill you in with what's happened over in my office, where you can have some proper Void Extract Coffee rather than that awful abomination you spacers sacrilegiously refer to as 'coffee'?"
"I shall be over in 30 minutes. I am still out of sorts here. Bradwell out."
"Ah, Seth, welcome. Do help yourself to coffee and sit down." said Milah as I entered her office. "You are probably wondering where the others are. Well Anastasia and Morgan are out on a data gathering mission, they won't tell me anything else, but need-to-know and all that. Nate is covertly trying to reach his superiors in '931, and try and find out what is happening in Partnership space. I cannot contact anyone in the Partnership at present, and I have heard reports from passing traders that all their starports are on lockdown. Whether this is a natural reaction to the events of the past two days or Heenan making his grab for power I cannot say. Marlon is taking a break since there isn't much he can do at present, so he is currently spending quality time with his daughter."
"Thanks, Milah. Anything else happen in my absence, other than the hostage crisis? Morgan mentioned he and Anastasia had been busy."
"Very busy indeed. Well after you suddenly departed on your foolhardy rescue mission..."
"Hey! I succeeded, and what's more, all the hostages were rescued. No one died that day."
"Okay, after you departed on your courageous and ultimately successful mission to free the hostages at Cauchy Horizons, we all decided we could achieve little staring at the holoscreen waiting for something to break so we called it a night. I was busy with the day-to-day running of the station yesterday whilst instructing my staff to alert me to any breaking developments. Meanwhile, my intelligence team were working to crack the Bureau of HIP 73321 Conservatives' encryption codes. I got word they had done this at about 13:30. I try and tell Morgan this, only for security to tell me he managed to give them the slip. Now you understand that Morgan and I are hardly the best of friends, and that I don't like not knowing where Morgan is when he is in my station, especially after he and you made such a colourful entrance five nights ago. Therefore, whenever he shows up, I always ensure that security tails him wherever he goes. I order a station-wide alert notice to locate him, only for him to brazenly stroll into my office with that Tokareva woman half an hour later." She groans. "I am sure he only does this to embarrass me. I had little time to show my anger given the situation, so I inform them that we have cracked the Conservatives' codes, and that they might as well go out and acquire the data, rather than wait indefinitely for the outcome of the hostage crisis."
"What had Morgan been doing?"
"All I could get out of him was something about talking to friends in low places. Typical Morgan. I also suspect that Tokareva had some role in helping him to evade security, as if I haven't got enough to give me a headache around here. I was grateful when I watched his ship take off with her following behind, at least they were not my concern for a few hours."
"So, did they manage to get the data?"
"Oh yes, although in typical Morgan style he had managed to create a huge scene. 'Subtlety' is not that man's middle name. I am sure when he comes back he shall boast about how he managed to flee fifty skimmers and a whole wing of Anacondas, and managed to escape with 1 percent of hull remaining in the process of getting that data."
"If he comes back. These surface jobs are dangerous, especially when you are in a SRV taking on a fully guarded facility. Although if anyone can keep him safe whilst on the surface, it's Anastasia."
"Morgan and I have our differences, but he is a survivor, and I admit I hold a begrudging respect for him." Her comms chirped. "Traffic Control to Love. The Revenge and the Cossack are due to dock, and have been respectively assigned Pads 22 and 23." announced the traffic control officer. "What did I say? A survivor. Love to Security. I want a covert surveillance detail placed on the occupants of the ships arriving at Pads 22 and 23 - especially the pilot arriving at Pad 22! Love out."
Morgan and Anastasia came into Milah's office 20 minutes later, and much to Milah's chagrin both had again managed to shake off their followers. In fact, the last her surveillance teams had seen of them was of them leaving the hanger.
"Ah, Mr. Morgan, how delighted we are that you could join us!" said Milah sarcastically ."I wondered if you and that charming lady had gone for yet another drink in some disreputable establishment run by those Silver Raiders ruffians. So how many skimmers this time? Sixty? Seventy? Eighty maybe? Plus ten Anacondas and five Fer-de-Lances, I would guess, and you only made it back after making emergency DIY repairs to the frame shift drive, which is presently held together with duct tape, as is what's left of your hull."
"There is no need for hyperbole, Ms. Love. It was only twenty skimmers, plus three FDLs, and just the one 'Conda. Also not a scratch on my Revenge's hull, thanks to Anna here being being a complete crackshot with a railgun." replied Morgan, keeping a straight face.
Milah's tone became serious. "Joking aside, I am glad that you two made it back in one piece, anyway. How was your mission - whatever in the Void it was?"
"Successful on all counts. We went over to the Partnership's installations and did a bit more hacking, it turned out that wonderful decryption algorithm you provided us to help get data on the Conservatives was just as useful when it came to prising secrets out of the Partnership. Also we gave the Camorra a visit."
"The Camorra? Why?" I asked.
"The Camorra may be limited in capabilities but they are loose cannons, as we all witnessed during the past the course of the past two days." replied Morgan. "Anna and I thought it would be pertinent to know what they were up to now their latest plan didn't quite work out. We all know that Heenan is using them as pawns to further his ambitions. My initial plan was to hack their installation too, until Anna suggested I meet some acquaintances of hers. So I go with her into the bowels of the station where I find a most remarkable bar with some of the best rums and vodka that credits can buy, including Harma Silver Sea. Anyway, it turns out the people running it are your answer to the Camorra, the Silver Raiders, and after a short discussion we were informed that there were three of the Camorra holed up in one of their safehouses, and the Silver Radiers would pay us a pretty penny and we would get the Camorra's cooperation if we were to get them home."
"The hostage takers!" Milah said angrily. "Seth, if I find out you have smuggled wanted criminals onto my station..."
"Seth did what he thought was best. Us mercs hold fast to the principle that our word is our honour. So, lets say that Seth promised that the hostage takers that he would take them somewhere safe and allow them to evade security, as part of the terms of releasing the hostages, only to then just deliver them straight into the arms of your grunts. Such dishonourable behaviour would be considered a huge outrage, and Seth would have a price on his head greater than Yates in every sector between here and Sol." explained Morgan.
Milah glared at me. "Seth, answer me this truthfully. Did you transport the Camorra hostage takers onto my station?"
"Yes." I said.
"Why?" said Milah, her tone becoming venomous.
"Nothing would have been gained from their capture or their demise." I answered. "I did consider whether or not to space them after all the trauma they had caused, but as Morgan said, double-crossing them would have led to fierce reprisals against me, and who knows what else the Camorra would have done that played into Heenan's hands, besides, killing them would make me no better than Yates. I also wanted them to realise what was at stake for them was well as every other interest in the galaxy. They are desperate, Milah, their abilities to cause havoc in the system has been deliberately blown out of proportion for propaganda purposes whilst more powerful criminal factions run ragged, aided and abetted by unscrupulous people like Heenan. The only thing that mattered when they took those hostages was the honour of the Big Boss and his nephew who nearly died at Yates' hands, and I have a hunch they were only able to do this because Heenan could use the subsequent tragedy to bolster his position. I knew this the moment Anastasia informed me about why they had done this the night before last. As one of those responsible for saving the Big Boss' nephew, I knew that I personally had great leverage in diffusing this situation, no matter the risk. I think that sparing the lives of those three Camorra was worth securing the safety of the twelve hostages, including Marlon Briggs' daughter."
"Stockholm syndrome usually takes hold some time after being taken captive, not before. You almost seem to feel sorry for them." frowned Milah.
"I did get them to promise they would cause no trouble for you whilst they were on the station, and as Morgan verified earlier, they spent nearly all their time here in a safehouse, and they are now gone and no longer your problem." I replied.
"Okay. I cannot fully condone what you did, but regardless it is thanks to you that twelve innocent people remain alive." said Milah, softening her tone. "We got sidetracked. So Morgan, you were transporting Seth's three Camorra friends back to HIP 71931."
"Anna and I split up after we agreed to help the Camorra get home, agreeing to meet again when I had delivered them back to Wyndham Settlement. It took us an hour to get to my ship, as you are well aware, Seth, Milah here likes to keep a close eye on my activities here, but we managed to avoid detection. Quite an interesting bunch of people they are too, I'll say. But anyway, Morgan Spaceways eventually took off and they had first-class travel straight back to Wyndham." grinned Morgan. "It is there I met with the Big Boss and his nephew."
"So, what happened?" I asked.
"Well they still want Yates dead." said Morgan. "I don't blame them, I would want Yates dead if I was them, in fact part of me wants Yates dead anyway. But I disclosed some more information about what was going on in their neighbourhood, and they have agreed that they would restrict their activities to their usual rackets and that any action against the Partnership would be strictly in the name of self-defence until this situation concluded. However, they were willing to offer their assistance to whichever side was willing to ensure Yates faced justice - although they warned that Yates will still be hunted down, even in Clough, and having done time there myself, I know how being on the inside doesn't mean you are safe from enemies on the outside."
"That is useful to know. At least they won't be causing any more distractions while we work to take out Heenan. How did the Partnership scan job go?" I asked Morgan.
"As smoothly as a hot tungsten alloy blade slicing through gallium. That trespass zone might as well not be there, and Anna's railguns made short work of their turrets and skimmers. All the same, if it wasn't for you, I would have been toast." smiled Morgan.
"No ground settlement can withstand an aerial attack, Morgan. All the same, you still left it too close for comfort when those System Authority ships came." said Anastasia coldly.
"I had valuable data to grab, so much information, so many data points to hack! Every bit is precious, and it's all worth it if it incriminates Heenan and his co-conspirators. Besides, I was the one in the SRV when those ships came after me." said Morgan.
"They came after us, Morgan, and we were outgunned and outnumbered. Also getting that data doesn't help us if you die before you can deliver it." frowned Anastasia.
"But I didn't die, and neither did you, and we got back here without a scratch." beamed Morgan. "After this I transmitted a copy to Marlon, who was analysing it whilst I filled you all in. He should be with us shortly."
"I was wondering why he was taking his time." said Milah. "Sent a message an hour ago and heard no response. Nate has been silent too. I hope nothing untoward has happened."
"So I guess we are back to waiting." I say, feeling frustrated. "We could always go over the data ourselves but with so much there it will be ages till we find what we are looking for. Only Marlon knows exactly what to look for. In the meantime, we can do nothing but eat into Milah's stocks of Void Extract Coffee, unless you can tell me what you could find from yesterday's raid on the Conservatives?"
"I found out for the first time how reckless our beloved Pirate Captain could be." snorted Anastasia. "Totally irresponsible and unprofessional, taking on a turret at such close range like that. Then you decided to play chicken with those skimmers..."
"Privateer, if you would be so kind. Anyway we got the goods didn't we? Besides -" said Morgan.
"If you say 'no one died' one more time, Morgan," said Anastasia menacingly, I might just take it upon myself to prove you wrong. You still owe me a drink, actually, after today's shenanigans, you owe me five, and you of all people know that I always ensure that debts owed to me are paid."
"If you kill me, you won't get those drinks from me. Check." laughed Morgan.
"I'll just raid your own supplies in such case. Check." smirked Anastasia.
"Ha! You hate rum, and that's all I have other than the odd case of beer, and a half empty bottle of Lavian Brandy, which you aren't particularly into either. Check, and I do believe, mate!" said Morgan, grinning triumphantly.
"Just remember who you owe an immense gratitude when we are next in a bar that serves vodka." said Anastasia. "And if it serves Euryale Standard, then I am willing to halve that debt."
"Deal!" cried Morgan. "Anyway, the data hack of the Conservatives. Well they definitely were the source of the weapons that the Brothers of HR 5473 acquired before the attack on Moon Dock. The money used in the transaction was an anonymous account registered in Zaonce - an account that is probably the destination of Hector Martin's embezzlements. Obviously they would go to great depth to ensure this wasn't directly traceable to the Partnership."
"But now, we may have that link between the Partnership and this strange account in Zaonce - or at least a link between Hector Martin and it." I say, confidently.
"Don't believe it until you see it. However I would be mightily surprised, and very disappointed, if there is nothing there to incriminate Heenan and Martin. At the very least, we have concrete proof of the attempted murder of Marlon." said Morgan.
"I hope we haven't gone through all this for nothing." I said, feeling despondent all of a sudden.
"You won't have. We have been proven right today. Even if we have to go to ground for a while, we will find a way to crack this." said Morgan.
At that moment Marlon and Nate burst into Milah's office.
"Everyone, listen up! The Partnership have just put their holdings on total lockdown, and an emergency meeting of the board has been called. Heenan is tabling a motion of no confidence in the Chairman!" cried Marlon.
"They have arrested Blue Vision's overseer for Moon Dock, Ellen Douglas, and I have been informed that Heenan has declared Blue Vision a criminal organisation!" added Nate, in shock. "I had no contact with them all day, and just got an encrypted message ten minutes ago! They mean to wipe us out!"
"So Heenan has finally made his move." I said.
"We need to get that evidence to the board. If enough of them can see Heenan for what he really is -" began Marlon.
"That will be no good if Heenan purges them and hands their positions to his followers. We need to do to Heenan what Heenan has been trying to do to Willows - make his position untenable."
"How you plan on doing that?" said Nate.
"Insurrection." I said, confidently. "And I know just the place to start..."