Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (19 page)

"Barnard's Star is heavily dependent on imports to sustain their economy and that includes food stuffs most of which come from these worlds. I estimate they would run short of critical items in less than two T-months.

"And if Barnard's Star refuses our generous offer?" Sebastian interrupted. There was no humor in the question.

"The longer they delay, the more serious will become their domestic problems. We will have effectively cut off any resupply of critical goods they need to feed their population. A barricade should suffice."

"Minister, you never cease to amaze me," Hizerman said. "You would spread our naval forces so thin that a direct assault against any part of the fleet would bring defeat."

"
Could
, Sir. Not necessarily would. I'm betting that our enemies would not have sufficient time to rally any forces and make a meaningful strike against us. Some local resistance, yes, but our fleets can handle it."

"Yes,
you
are betting, Sir. And my ships and crews are your gambling chips."

"And the empire," Sebastian added.

That brought the conversation to a dead stop. Buck squirmed slightly in his chair fearing he'd overstated or worse suggested an idea the three men thought foolhardy—something none could accept.

"It does have advantages," Hizerman said. "We confront them simultaneously on all fronts with a show of force but don't fire a shot. At least at Barnard's Star. We have the advantage knowing how we will deploy our forces.

At this point, it was all talk. Buck knew Sebastian would never commit the fleet without the High Admiral's agreement. The Emperor looked at Hizerman. "Think so?" he said. "What about the home world? What if the renegades attack Iona?"

"Unless they have more than a thousand ships with which to attack, which they do not, attacking Iona would be their death knell. I'm confident home fleet could handle any assault."

"And the Federation?" Sabastian questioned.

"Nothing, Majesty, they will do nothing," Buck said. "That has been their history."

Chapter Nineteen:
The War

B
uck stepped from the ministry aircar, thanked the driver, and sent him on his way as his children rushed from the house. Molly stood under the portico smiling at the mob scene. Despite the children clinging, he reached his wife, embraced and gave her a kiss as the children giggled and pointed at the scene.

Together they walked into the house. "How did it go with the Emperor," Molly asked.

"Hizerman and Polins were there. Hizerman asked my opinion."

"And you gave it," Molly teasingly interrupted.

"Yeah. I really laid it on them." Buck told her the details and his hopes it would avoid a full scale declared war.

"I'm impressed. How did it go over? Did they take you seriously?"

"Yes, Sebastian and Hizerman agreed it was the way to handle Barnard's Star and the uprising."

"You've always found a way to sort through the chaff and get to the heart of a matter. I'm not surprised that they value your judgment. What does this mean for you?"

Buck paused, looked at Molly, and smiled. "It looks like I'm…" he paused again, "…
we
are back in the freight business. I resigned as Minister. Told the Emperor all I wanted to do was haul freight."

"And he said?"

"Surprised me. Just said go ahead and told the Minister and Admiral they had a job to do. Sebastian did insist that I reclaim the lordship."

"Lord Fryman," it was not the first time Molly had addressed him formally, but he knew better than to mock her, "We both know the Emperor. And I'm confident there is more to come from Sebastian."

Buck nodded. "That's the way I figure it as well. But, I intend to put my ships to work."

Buck spent a T-year assembling his fleet. The two ships he added each carried cannons and a ramming blade.

***

"Mr. Basselrod," Buck said, "how goes the day?" He entered the office followed by Ivan Dovacec. Threats against Buck's life had led Molly and Basselrod to demand Buck have a bodyguard. With both over two meters tall, they made an imposing sight. Few would dare a public attack. A hidden killer was always a concern.

"All is well, my Lord. We have six freighters spaced with maximum loads, and the two newest loading. Both should space within the week." Buck had appointed retired Admiral Basselrod as president to head the resurrected business, Celeste Freight.

Ivan took a seat not far from Buck's secretary, his usual spot.

Buck punched a blinking icon on his desk.

"From the Emperor. Wants to see me in his office." Buck, still with his coat on, called for his aircar and left for the palace, Ivan at his side.

The Emperor's secretary waited at the main entry, something very unusual.

"Good day, Lord Fryman." Without hesitation he added, "The Emperor is in his office." From the look on the secretary's face, Buck's concern spiked but the man hurried him to the door.

Ivan took a seat in the anteroom as Buck stepped through the open door, bowed, waited, and wondered if Sebastian had heard him enter. With his back to him, the Emperor hadn't moved.

Finally, the Emperor turned, his face drawn. "Buck… my son was murdered."

Buck gasped but sensed Sebastian needed to say more.

The monarch, shoulders slumped, as he slowly walked to the window, hands knotted into fists. "Prince Victor left Iona a few months ago to show the flag in our eastern sector. That part of the empire has not had a major disturbance in over twenty T-years—until now."

Halting, yet his words clear, he added, "Rebels boarded the Archibald, shot him—he was unarmed—he could have run and at least have a chance to escape, but those who saw it said he never flinched. One of the killers said I would be next if they weren’t allowed to secede." It had taken almost thirty T-days for the message to reach Iona. Buck learned two destroyer escorts accompanied the Archibald but were rendered powerless, believing the prince aboard the escaping ship. The killers made the deception convincing with the communication to the destroyers saying they had Victor and would kill him if pursued. With Archibald's communications equipment destroyed, they had ample time to escape.

Buck involuntarily sucked in a breath.

"Admiral Hizerman is gathering a fleet to find and put a stop to this disaffiliation," Sebastian said. "I want you to go after Victor's killers. Work independently from the Navy. Your information circles are different and maybe that can be of use. You have proven most trustworthy and have my complete confidence. Iona needs you, I need you. Find my son's killers."

Buck stood dumbfounded. Regaining his composure asked, "What do we know and what do we not know, Majesty?"

"Astute and to the point, Buck," Sebastian responded, still staring out the window. It took a few minutes for him to give what little information was available.

"They have declared war and have cost us a great deal already—too much. But this act will cost Mahoney everything and those who are with him," Sebastian said. Buck puzzled for a moment unsure if it was his Emperor or a bereaved father talking and then winced. His plan against Barnard's Star had resulted in Victor's death.

Sebastian sighed. "It's not a problem with your strategy, Buck. That is going quite well." He stopped, turned, and stared at the freighter for a few moments. "You will have what information the Navy and Intelligence has and kept fully informed."

Buck knew it was the Emperor who spoke. He wasn't at all sure he could have kept his thoughts in line had it been his son. "The entire fleet of freighters will join with us," Majesty. Often much is said to them that others never hear. Every asset we possess will be employed." Calling the freighters a fleet was a bit of a stretch as they were independent to a fault.

Sebastian seemed to regain his composure. "The insurrection has heavily taxed our fleet. Buck, only Admiral Hizerman will know of your involvement. We know Jarred Mahoney and the Barnard's Star bunch lead those who killed my son. You being a civilian and a freighter should not attract major attention. I'm sure Mahoney's hate for you remains steadfast but his attention will stay focused on destroying the empire. Keeping your efforts quiet will serve us best. I will forward to you anything information, all the details, no matter how insignificant. A SEAL team has boarded the Molly Celeste to assist you. In addition, our engineers are installing the latest upgrade to the quantum computer in your cabin. The scientists have achieved a major breakthrough and we know of nothing that can match it. Admiral Hizerman, the engineers, you and me are the only ones that will have it. One is installed aboard Admiral Denis' flagship." That brought a nod from Buck. Sebastian added, "We mean to keep its existence quiet. You will be briefed on its capabilities when you board the Molly Celeste."

Buck didn't hesitate. "My Emperor. I'll leave as soon as preparations are complete." He bowed and backed from the office.

Ivan matched Buck's stride as they hurried from the palace.

Buck returned to his office. "Admiral Basselrod, have you heard any rumblings? Any problems?" Buck told his number one of the prince's death and that the information was to go no further until released by the palace.

Basselrod cursed. "No, my Lord. In fact, I mentioned to Captain Danko just before he went on orbit that things were going too smoothly for something not to go wrong. But this—it only means Sebastian will amp up his response. Any hope of avoiding a full scale war is gone, as is Mahoney."

"Wrong may be the wrong word, Admiral. Many people are going to die."

As was Buck's habit, instead of waiting for the regular shuttles, he went to the lift-off area and hired a ship to take him on orbit. This trip was no different but his thoughts were far darker than usual.

One hour later, he stepped onto the hanger deck of the Molly Celeste, followed by Ivan. There he was greeted by Captain Danko.

Quiet settled over the two as they quickened their pace up the passageway to Buck's cabin. On a secure line, he keyed the comm and his wife's image appeared on the screen. Shock appeared on her face as she learned of Prince Victor's murder. Danko's reaction was much the same.

"The Emperor has told me to find the killers. I’m spacing very soon." Buck expressed his regret for leaving her and the children then broke the connection.

"That son of a bitch, Mahoney is dead and doesn't know it," Danko growled as he stepped out the hatch.

An engineer pressed the stud and asked to enter. Buck motioned him in.

Over the next hour, Buck learned the particulars on how to operate the computer. "Punch that icon and you can practice, get familiar with it. When you place your hands here…" the engineer put his palms on two pads, and the computer came alive, "…it senses your presence and, you become one with the computer."

Buck watched as the engineer's résumé appeared on the screen.

"See, I just thought about my bio and there it is."

"I'm not sure that's a good thing," Buck said pensively. "There are some things better kept quiet."

"Not to worry. You can tell it to exclude subjects. I would recommend do that once you gain some proficiency."

Buck assured him that would happen. After an hour, the two shook hands, Buck thanked the engineer and the man excused himself.

After few hours more of practice, Buck went on line and tapped into the freighter communications network. He knew all the freighter captains and more importantly, those he could trust. By the third day, with the information the Emperor had supplied, and that garnered from the freighters, Buck ordered the Molly Celeste to space.

From the last know position of the Archibald and the vector the killers had taken, Danko gave the astrogator the estimated intercept coordinates. All knew they were little more than an educated guess. Archibald's crew and the prince's entourage were unharmed, freeing Buck to pursue the assassins.

Buck left the bridge for his cabin. Spacing without a load, the Molly Celeste could easily reach the zeta level and might even make the eta range.

Danko soon joined him. "I want to meet the SEAL commander. He might as well sit in on all our discussion," Buck said.

Danko summoned the man.

Stepping through the hatch, the man came to attention.
Rigid,
Buck thought.
As expected from a SEAL.

"Commander Donald Rasby, reporting as ordered, Sir," said the officer.

It was the first time Buck had met a SEAL.

The Navy man seemed a bit awed with Fryman's size—at least three centimeters taller and twenty kilo's heavier.

Buck studied the well-muscled man. His face fit the image Buck had, hard as granite, never showing emotion, eyes staring straight ahead.

They shook hands and Buck told the commander and Danko to sit.

The stocky man moved easily, not with the swagger Buck expected. "You'll be in on all our discussions, Commander. I understand you've not had a briefing on our mission and I know so little about your skills, just what I've picked up in a bar or two." That brought a knowing nod from the warrior. "So you'll have to tell me when to deploy your men if matters get serious. How, I leave up to you."

"Fair enough, my Lord." The man became pensive. "I understand our mission concerns the Prince. If he's in danger, what do you think our chances are of finding him alive?"

"He was murdered, Commander." Buck looked off distantly. "If these people had any hope of ever achieving their goals, they disappeared with the death of the young man. When we prevail, they die." The resolve in Buck's voice seemed to galvanize the two men and they responded with knowing nods.

"We take few prisoners, my Lord," said the SEAL.

Buck stared hard at the officer. If the man was testing him, he'd quickly learn that would gain him little. Danko pursed his lips and ducked his head to hide the smile that wanted to surface knowing the response that was coming.

"If I say so, you will this time, Commander. Understand you
will
do exactly as I say. Any killing, other than in self-defense, will come on my orders. Do you have a problem with that?"