Incursio (Oolite Saga Part 3) Page 12
‘Promises get broken, Jim.’ She shot back, carelessly.
‘Damn it Rebecca!’ he yelled. ‘I was wrong, I screwed up. I regret it ok? You were right, I was wrong! For frak’s sake don’t just leave like this…’
He paused, out of breath.
‘You quite finished?’ Rebecca said, unmoved. Her lips were pursed.
Jim looked at her, hoping for some kind of response. She simply stared back coldly and then abruptly pushed the cancel button. The small screen in the cockpit of the Spectre went dark.
For a moment she sat in silence, biting her lip. Her head dropped, her hair covering her face like an untidy curtain.
Then the sobs sounded through the cockpit.
‘Form up. I want diamond formation for the jump, one click separation. I’ll drive the passage, the rest of you hitchhike and save the fuel,’ Coyote announced into the narrowband comms.
‘It’ll take us a lot longer to make the transit with four ships in a single wormhole.’ Rebecca replied on the narrow band.
‘First rule of smuggling. Never travel without full tanks,’ Coyote fired back. ‘Only one ship burns fuel at a time. Confirm.’
Rebecca subsided into silence.
Derik saw the three other ships move into position, he verified co-ordinates with the target computer.
Cobra, Starboard Front (Diamond). 1 km
Caduceus, Starboard (Diamond) 1 km
Vampire, Starboard Rear (Out of formation!) 1.1 km
Derik shook his head, flipping on the rear view. Rebecca’s new ship sat vaguely visible on the edge of the screen, difficult to make out against the blackness of space. She was almost in formation, just not quite.
‘Confirmed,’ Derik said into the narrow-band. ‘Co-ordinates for Qutiri locked in.’
‘All secure for transit,’ Udian’s voice sounded.
There was a brief pause on the narrowband; just enough to be irritating.
‘All set. What are we waiting for?’ Rebecca voice snapped.
She’s really trying to wind him up. We need to sort this out soon one way or the other.
Coyote’s voice remained measured. ‘Engage cloak. Witch-space in fifteen.’
The four ships flickered and faded from sight. Shortly afterwards a single flickering portal opened up and brief ripples appeared in it as the invisible ships hitchhiked on the Coyote’s wormhole to Qutiri. The portal flashed, shrank and disappeared, leaving no trace of their passing.
Chapter 5
Jim had spent most of the afternoon trying to requisition a ship that was travelling towards the Galactic Centre. He’d struck out. Despite there being no real facts about the state of the Thargoid invasion of Chart One, rumours were spreading like wildfire. Jim had overheard a lot of them in the bars, restaurants and shopping areas around the station and was surprised how accurate they seemed to be based on what Rebecca had told him. Some of the guesses were wide of the mark but some of them had the situation pegged.
The Navy is losing. They’re coming.
The sense of impending doom across the trading communities left the atmosphere sombre. Nobody had a desire to head towards trouble unless there was a lot of money involved. Jim didn’t have problems with funds yet but he couldn’t compete with a lucrative trading deal as an individual passenger. Jim had expected to already be aboard and travelling by now but no one had responded to his adverts on the core-comm. He’d been forced to go looking for a ride.
‘Ermaso? You’re kidding right? No one’s going that way. Market is down ten points. The only way to make money is to be in the Centre now and bringing stuff out, not going in there.’
Jim had managed to at least start a conversation with one of the traders in the hangar area. He was a big man, covered in tattoos and sporting a huge grey moustache. He was stood in front of the loading bay of a huge Anaconda freighter.
‘I can pay you.’
Until the bitch queen gets hold of my credit account that is… might as well spend it first!
‘You can’t cover the cost of the insurance risk my friend.’ The moustache bristled. Big dark eyes looked at him with amusement. ‘Can you afford a new Anaconda?’
‘Whatever it costs. I need to get to the Centre.’
‘Buddy, you could offer me a mil and I still wouldn’t go. Scuttlebutt is that the bugs have got a new weapon which can slice you up good and proper. You saw what happened down Tionisla way. I’ve got my sources else-place. It’s too dangerous. Most of us are making a hop to Chart Three ‘til this blows over.’
Jim had similar conservations with a variety of reputable traders and others that clearly had a slightly more relaxed attitude to the requirements of authority. He’d had no luck there either.
He was almost at the point of considering whether or not he dared risk buying his own ship and trying to make his own way to the Centre when he caught the end of a conversation whilst walking back from the hangar deck. A feline Captain was arguing to and fro with an amphibious maintenance technician on the dockside.
‘…Let’s put it this way Captain. Your ship is impounded.’
‘You can’t do that. I need to earn a living!’ the feline’s sleek grey fur was standing on end. Jim had been around the cats long enough to know that meant they were either alarmed or apoplectic.
‘Call us old-fashioned but we have a cosy little tradition in these backwater parts of the chart. If we fix someone’s ship - we get paid.’ The frog-like tech shot out his tongue and flipped around a holofac screen with it. Jim could just make out a long inventory.
‘I have paid you,’ the feline snapped.
‘You’ve paid for the parts, not the labour.’
‘You didn’t quote for labour. It was all inclusive!’
‘You didn’t tell me about the state of your ship. Difficult to bolt up a new generator bearing when the housing bolts are all sheered and the mounting plates are buckled. We had to graft in a complete new chassis and skim the manifold. Lucky your ship didn’t come apart on you on the way in. Didn’t you spot you were blowing coolant? That glowing green stuff dripping out of the vents?’
‘My engineer is one of the best…’
‘That could be true but when all he’s got to work with is emergency hull sealant on critical components he’d have to be a magician…’
‘Perhaps we can come to some arrangement…’
‘Yeah we can. You pay me, you get your ship back.’ The frog’s tongue flickered around its face, keeping it comfortably damp.
‘But I can’t earn any money without my ship. You see the problem?’
‘I do. And it’s yours, not mine.’
‘This is extortion!’
‘No, it’s called business.’ The frog tossed a small energiser unit in the air and caught it. ‘See this? It’s your motivator for the gen-unit. Without this you’ve got no main power. I’m keeping it until I’m paid.’
‘I know a lot of traders you know,’ the feline was posturing angrily. ‘I can give you a negative review on Oobay…’
‘Buddy, I’m booked solid for months. You got nothing.’
The feline spat some kind of profanity at the frog and marched off. Jim followed him down a couple of levels. The cat entered one of the seedier bars on the station and pitched up at the bar, flicking his tail suggestively at the bar-girl.
‘You got the credit, Captain?’ she said, smiling sweetly. She was dressed in a shimmering scale patterned skin-tight outfit. Jim had seen the ‘fish-like’ style sweep the fashionistas in recent weeks. Her hair was styled like a fin on top of her head with the sides shaved down to the skin.
‘What do you think?’ the cat replied with a surly snap.
‘Iced water on the house then,’ the girl replied. ‘Tough times Mr. H?’
The cat took the proffered glass and gazed at it contemptuously, before putting it down on the bar. Jim walked up beside him. Jim ordered an Anlian gin and downed it, ordering another one before looking across at the cat, who now had his head in
his paws on the bar top.
‘Trading tough?’ he said after a moment.
The cat looked around at him. Jim regarded the grey haired feline for a moment, taking another hit from his gin. The fiery liquid burnt satisfyingly down his throat.
‘Always a challenge,’ the cat said with sudden enthusiasm. ‘Everyday’s a challenge, it’s what makes life exciting. The entrepreneurial spirit!’
Jim nodded. ‘Must be expensive though, with all that maintenance on a ship. Must add up.’
‘Ah…’ the cat replied with a knowing look. ‘Incidentals, incidentals. Minor considerations on the road to riches. A necessary evil of course.’
Jim looked shiftily over his shoulder, ‘I’ve heard that some of the repair techs around here are unscrupulous. Over-charging clients and such like. You want to be sure you don’t get caught by one of them. They’ll get you over a cargo pod and bleed you dry.’
The cat’s eyes narrowed for a moment. ‘I’ve heard that…’
Jim sighed. ‘Of course, I don’t need to tell an experienced Captain like yourself how to suck vacuum. I don’t suppose you’re heading towards Ermaso by any chance?’
The feline looked alarmed. ‘Frak no! ‘Goids everywhere by all accounts…’
Jim shrugged and made to leave. ‘Ah well. Shame. I’m trying to pay my way across the chart and no one’s interested in ready cash. What’s a paying client got to do? Sorry for wasting your time…’
‘Did you say Ermaso, my friend?’ the cat said, immediately starting after him. ‘I thought you said Erlazo! As it happens, I could be going that way in the near future…’
‘Really?’ Jim put on a face full of mock astonishment. ‘That’s excellent news!’
‘Ah… you know, the entrepreneurial spirit and all that.’
‘Exactly. Good to see it still flourishes even out here…’
‘Won’t be cheap of course,’ the feline said with a heavy sigh. ‘What with the war and everything.’
Jim smiled. ‘Shall we discuss the details over a drink? Evil juice or Anlian Gin?’
The feline smiled. ‘Ah… well, I’m a fan of both if I’m honest.’
‘The name’s Jim.’ Jim extended his hand. The cat took it in his ample paw.
‘Hesperus. Captain Hesperus, at your service!’
‘All ships, course for the sun, por favor.’
‘Again?’ Rebecca demanded. ‘We only just refuelled! We can make three more jumps using piggybacking!’
Coyote’s Cobra was already angling towards the bright star at the centre of the Biramebi system.
‘First rule of smuggling… ’ Coyote returned.
‘It’s stupid!’ Rebecca shot back. ‘We could be two systems ahead by now.’
‘Give it a rest woman…’ Derik interjected wearily. ‘Coyote’s running this show. We do as he says…’
Rebecca quietened down again, muttering something rude under her breath.
On the forward viewer they could see a belt of asteroids ahead. Slowly the enormous collection of rocks grew on the screen. Coyote adjusted course slightly to avoid one of them. The rest of the group followed his course.
Derik saw a light flicker on his console.
Oh here we go, private comms… Great for team morale…
‘Derik here,’ the lizard said, rolling his eyes.
‘This is nuts!’ Rebecca’s voice came across on the private channel. ‘We’re wasting time. We could be almost there by now. All this caution is unnecessary. What’s he so frakkin’ worried about?’
‘I guess he’s got his reasons,’ Derik replied, manoeuvring around another rock. The asteroid field seemed unusually dense.
‘This is a communist system! It’s not exactly high risk is it? We’re off the space lane… there’s nobody out here!’
Derik saw Coyote’s ship slip ahead slightly; it disappeared from sight behind one of the larger rocks.
‘Just roll with it,’ the lizard replied, wishing she’d get off the airwaves. ‘We’ve still got time. Do as he says. He’s the boss.’
‘He’s throwing the advantage away.’
Derik frowned at his scanner. Coyote’s ship hadn’t emerged from behind the asteroid. He snatched a look at the viewers; Udian’s Hammer was cruising alongside with Rebecca’s Spectre to the rear. Coyote’s ship was nowhere to be seen. The jumbled collection of rocks was clouding the scanner.
Did he trigger his cloaking device?
Rebecca was still expectorating. ‘…we might as well be flying Adders for all the speed we’re using. I mean, what is the point? The Thargoids will probably get there first at this rate… Frak!’
Derik blinked as Rebecca’s ship was framed by glowing bursts of laser fire.
About time she was brought into line. Wonder why she’s so pissed? This should be interesting…
‘Second rule of smuggling,’ came Coyote’s voice, interrupting their comms. ‘Never assume you can’t be overheard.’
More lasers skittered across the shields of Rebecca’s ship. She pulled up out of the formation instinctively. Derik could see Coyote’s Cobra on her tail.
‘What are you doing, you stupid ‘goid?’ Rebecca shouted.
‘Third rule of smuggling,’ Coyote snapped dogmatically. ‘Always pay attention.’
Rebecca’s ship twisted aside, feinting from one side to another. Coyote’s ship stayed right behind, still firing. More lasers hit Rebecca’s shields. Derik could see the rear shields were weakening. He pulled his ship aside, up and out of the asteroid field.
‘And where are you going?’ Udian demanded, breaking his radio silence.
‘Watching the show,’ Derik retorted. ‘Getting myself a ring-side seat. This should be good; bring any nachos?’
Udian didn’t deign to give an answer but he likewise pulled his ship out of the belt and positioned the Hammer alongside the Persistence.
Rebecca had triggered the Spectre’s strange lensing drive and blasted off into the depths of the belt.
‘Back off!’ her voice sounded over the wide-band. ‘I’m in the better ship. You’ll lose this, old man.’
Coyote’s Cobra was floating just outside the asteroid belt.
‘Senorita, we can do this the easy way or the hard way…’ Coyote replied lazily.
‘Oh yeah?’ Rebecca’s voice spat back. ‘I’m guessing the easy way is for me to just get myself a lobotomy and blindly accept your crazy-ass leadership?’
‘Something like that…’
‘I’ve got a better idea. Put your credits where your mouth is, old man. Let’s see just how good Elite is.’
Coyote didn’t answer for a moment. ‘We’re wasting time…’
‘Backing down again?’ Rebecca fired back straightaway. ‘First your principles, now your combat reputation. I’m not following someone who doesn’t even respect themselves.’
Derik triggered a private narrow-band comm channel to Udian.
‘Ouch!’ he said, with a snigger. ‘She’s a feisty little number, pushing that button!’
‘This is puerile,’ Udian replied, indifferently. ‘Coyote should ignore her. Perhaps she’ll go away.’
‘Nah… this was brewing one way or another since he dissed her old ship back at ‘nisla.’ Derik replied with a grin of anticipation. ‘Game on.’
‘What do you suggest?’ Coyote said on the wideband, after another long pause. His voice sounded tight and strained.
‘First to score a hull strike takes the lead,’ Rebecca said. ‘Just you and me. No cloaks, no missiles.’
‘And you’ll follow me if I prevail?’ Coyote queried. ‘No questions asked?’
‘If that happens I’ll even sew up that hole I made in your hat, oldtimer,’ Rebecca chuckled.
‘Very well… ’ Coyote replied and then raised his voice to address Udian and Derik. ‘Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.’
‘Do what you gotta do,’ Derik called back.
Udian re-activated the private channel.
‘Won’t happen,’ Derik replied, confidently.
‘He’s outgunned three to one, in an older and less manoeuvrable ship.’ Udian pointed out. ‘Despite her lamentable lack of discipline the woman shows a reasonable degree of skill in combat.’
‘Fifty credits says Coyote will whip her ass,’ Derik replied.
‘I’ll take that,’ Udian replied. ‘Why?’
‘Because he’s Elite and she aint,’ Derik said with surety.
‘I’ve more faith in technology than a dubious kill rating.’
Coyote’s Cobra cautiously nudged its way into the asteroid field.
Rebecca could see Udian’s and Derik’s ships on the edge of the scanner clearly since they were beyond the confines of the asteroid belt. Coyote’s ship had been briefly visible but she’d lost the scanner trace the moment he’d entered the belt. It was simply too dense for the scanners to penetrate.
Visual flight rules only, until you get a clear view…
The asteroids rolled around her, a tumbling maelstrom of shifting occasional safety.
Come to mummy, you smug ‘goid.
Rebecca knew she couldn’t afford to underestimate Coyote’s skill. She’d seen him fly in the Tionisla Orbital Graveyard and he clearly knew his ships. The exact specification of his precious Dark Star wasn’t clear, other than it was heavily tweaked. Still, it should be no match for the Spectre. One sustained hard hit with the three military lasers would be all she needed. She could out turn him and out run him.
I’ve taken down plenty of Elite pilots. He’ll just be the next.
Coyote was having similar thoughts himself. He’d reviewed the specification of the Spectre in some detail. Almost half as fast again as the Dark Star in a straight line, with sharper turning circle. For all the woman’s bluster she was no shrinking violet. In a head-to-head slugging match he was seriously outclassed. Her flying style might lack subtlety but it was no less effective for that. He’d seen what she could do at Tionisla.