Christmas Carriers' Convoy - part 3
17 Nov 2018Andrew Linton
Tay and I fly the Orca to Viktorenko Holdings which is in a nearby agricultural system. We want to check out the passenger missions to Colonia because it would make our cover story more credible to be actually carrying some tourists. Our secondary motive is to search for rumours and leads about the disappearance of antimatter containment designs belonging to the Dood Corporation."This is hopeless," I say after reviewing the available contracts. "First of all, the amount these rich tourists are prepared to pay is a pittance considering how long the journey is; and secondly, they want to be there in five days' time."
Tay doesn't seem to be disappointed in the least. My guess is she already knew that was the case.
"No need to worry about the money," she says. "Don't forget Ms Dood is covering the expenses very generously. Tell you what, leave it with me to find a few willing travellers to make the trip. We can even afford to pay them to go with us if we have to."
I'm happy for Tay to take care of this aspect of our venture. She probably has young friends with wanderlust who would welcome the chance to visit Colonia.
"All right," I say. "In that case, let's switch to helping the criminal underworld get to where they want to be."
We scan the lists in the passenger lounge, hoping to find people who might have inside knowledge of criminal goings-on, and of our case in particular.
"It's amazing," I observe, "how many criminal masterminds want to go sightseeing."
"That is odd," Tay says. "I suppose even criminals like to relax from time to time. Or maybe they're playing the same game as us."
"Game?"
"Using a tourist beacon as cover for a rendezvous."
"I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Our first mission is to carry a rebel leader, Chi Kane, to a contested system. I see the indicator that our passenger is wanted and make a rapid exit from Viktorenko Holdings, boosting to get away from the authority ships circling the station.
Kane stays in the cabin until we’re out of the access corridor. We have our hyperspace jump locked in and are cruising to break the mass-lock of Viktorenko when he appears on the bridge. He’s carrying a Lasma Persuader—a non-lethal personal weapon guaranteed not to puncture a canopy—and is pointing it at me.
“Cancel that jump,” he barks. “I have other plans.”
I’ve been at the wrong end of a weapon many times. My heart-rate leaps, peaking at 120; I take a few deep breaths and calm myself. The Persuader can inflict pain but the pain tells you you’re still alive.
“Okay, let’s stay calm,” I say, holding Kane’s gaze. “Tell us what you need and we’ll see what we can do.”
Kane looks almost disappointed not to be able to shoot someone; he has the wild look of an idealist in his eyes, driven by his determination to make a difference in his small corner of the galaxy. He advances further into the bridge.
“There’s a high intensity conflict zone not far from here. I need to go there to conclude an arms deal.”
Tay checks the navigation panel.
“I see it,” she says, “and I’ve locked it in. Shall we go to supercruise?”
She seems to be well in control of her emotions; whatever she's feeling, she doesn't show it.
“Punch it,” Kane orders and Tay complies.
We come out of supercruise into the midst of a chaotic battle. Blinding flashes of laser light and the massive explosion of combat ships obscure the background stars; opposing factions, each made up of multiple wings, circle each other trying to gain positional advantage. Some damaged ships withdraw to repair and rearm while fresh recruits drop in to take part.
At the centre of the scene is FNS Hood, a Farragut class battlecruiser. She’s really dominating the action and makes an impressive sight.
Kane isn’t interested in the fight.
“Both of you,” he says “out of your seats; get over there.”
We go and stand to one side of the bridge and I have the chance to whisper to Tay: “Don’t do anything silly; let it happen and we’ll get through this.”
She nods and stands still. Kane starts working his way through the list of contacts. He’s looking for whoever he’s doing business with.
He puts on headphones and opens a voice channel to another ship. I can’t hear anything of the conversation that follows; meanwhile, stray laser beams and multi-cannon ordnance impact on the ship. I would love to reach forwards and put four pips into shields but don’t dare.
We remain at risk for another five minutes until Kane closes his deal. Then he gets up from the helm seat and says, as though nothing unusual has happened: “Very well, Commander, take me to my destination.”
We dash to our positions; I get the ship underway while Tay plots the route. We’re hugely mass-locked but finally make the jump.
Kane is wanted in the destination system so I avoid being scanned and make a fast entry into the starport. As soon as he has disembarked, I go to a locker on the bridge and take out two non-lethal sidearms, giving one to Tay.
“We’ll need these if we’re going to continue in the travel agency business.”
Tay checks the weapon expertly, finding the safety, checking the charge, taking up a combat stance, and looking along the barrel as she takes aim at a non-existent target.
“You’ve done that before,” I say, smiling with admiration and hoping she’ll open up a little bit, let me even a little way into her head.
“I joined a shooting club a few years back,” she offers. “It seemed like a useful skill to have.”
I don’t press her any further on what prompted her to think that, after all what we’ve just been through might be justification enough.
“So, let’s get back to Viktorenko to pick up our next transport mission.”
"And let's hope we find someone who knows about the missing designs."