Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (44 page)

Read Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) Online

Authors: Kenneth E. Ingle

Tenkiller returned the compliment as Buck said, "Let’s go after Mahoney."

"Radar, do you have the track on the Dolin Elite?" asked Tenkiller.

"Aye, Sir."

He ordered one destroyer to join up and set course to intercept them.

Less than twenty T-hours later, the faster, more heavily armed ships hailed Mahoney. "Dolin Elite, cut your acceleration and prepare to be boarded," Buck had no illusion that the man would surrender. All that waited him was a noose.

"No response," comm reported.

"Admiral, close on them. Prepare a shuttle to board," Buck said he decided a little too casually.

"You're not going to board that ship," Tenkiller said ignoring the honorific.

"Sure am. It's personal. When I get done, he'll be either in chains or dead. Mahoney has escaped twice and I mean to see that it doesn't happen this time."

"Lord Fryman, we can kill that ship with little effort."

Admiral, prepare the shuttle. Or do I have to do it myself?" Not a soul on the bridge moved waiting to see the outcome of this little set-to.

"Don't do this. To risk your life when it makes no sense to do so is inexcusable. You'll have to make the shuttle ready on your own."

"Admiral, I've given you a direct order."

"I know that but before we spaced from Iona, the Emperor personally contacted me and I have specific orders to not allow you to try some harebrained idea, even if Tommy came up with it. He's still boss."

"Sebastian really told you that?" asked Buck with a broad smile.

"And I intend to see that the Emperor has his way."

Buck turned toward Tommy. "Got any ideas?"

"Well, that ship belongs to Roland Evans an' he captains' it. That means it's his crew. Maybe Evans will listen ta ya."

Buck smiled and keyed the transmitter. "Captain Evan, this is Buck Fryman. If you surrender Jarred Mahoney to me, you, your crew, and ship will be permitted to go on your way."

An hour later, the comm came alive. "Send a shuttle."

Chapter Forty-One:
Going Home

B
efore leaving HMS Cochise, Buck stopped in his cabin and accessed the computer.

'Lord Fryman, you are to be complimented for your tactics in the battle with the rebel Kalazecis fleet. I can understand why you didn't give me the details as you improvised as the battle developed. Most unorthodox but it worked. Had you given it to me I would have calculated less than ten percent chance of success.'

Buck withdrew his hands without comment and headed for the hanger bay.

One hour later, he exited the launch along with the Marines, and sat in the rear of the aircar for the ride to the palace.

Upon arrival, a guard opened the door.

Buck entered with the Marines ahead, and behind. He acknowledged the Kalazecis assigned to protect the Emperor and they directed him to Djac's office. To everyone's amazement, the Emperor appeared and waved the Minister into a heavily guarded safe room. The Marines waited outside.

Buck bowed. "Majesty, it is time to take our leave of Myslac. Jarred Mahoney is a prisoner on one of His Majesty's ship. That ends the rebellion against Sebastian and, of course, Myslac's uprising is contained." What went unsaid, Buck would not have to bear the responsibility for killing Ajnoc's father; something that had weighed heavily on the freighter's mind.

Breaking all traditions, the diminutive Emperor walked from behind his desk and shook hands with the giant.

"Sebastian sent me a comm. He said you would take matters into your own hands. I am thankful that you did, Lord Fryman. How can my world ever repay you?"

"Become citizens of the galactic community, your Majesty. Rest assured Sebastian would welcome you and your people."

Both agreed it was time for Myslac to join the rest of the civilized worlds.

Buck left the Emperor and had the driver take him, Molly, and his boys to Mjonca's residence.

Ajnoc stood waiting and rushed to Buck. "Sire, where is Sir Tommy?" the boy asked, looking past toward the ship's open hatch. "Can I see him before you leave?"

Buck keyed his shoulder comm for Tommy who was at the spaceport, and told him of the boy's request.

Ajnoc stopped when Buck's sons and Molly stepped from the Launch. Introduced and taken inside, it didn't take long for the boys to begin playing.

Larger than most homes, as one would expect of a royal, it wasn’t ostentatious and showed excellent taste. Skylights, the first Buck had seen on Myslac, cast rays on a crystal chandelier hung from the high arched ceiling creating a rainbow of color. A white marble floor partially covered with an off-white rug added warmth to the room. Of particular note to Buck, the doorways were built to accommodate beings taller than the Kalazecis. Probably a legacy of Jarred Mahoney's time on Myslac.

A Pagmok woman, recognizable by her lighter color, served coffee and Mjonca motioned Molly and Buck toward chairs.

After the two women sat, Buck pulled a hassock closer and joined them. Mahoney's size, slender, hadn't prompted larger chairs. That brought a smile from the woman. Ajnoc and the boys raced through the house playing until Mjonca slowed them.

"I am going to the Hommew world," Buck said with a smile. "I plan to invite them to join the galactic community as I have Myslac."

"Lord Fryman, you have made a difference to our world beyond anything Emperor Djac could have expected. He told me the rebel fleet could have changed the outcome. Without you, the people loyal to him might not have put down the rebellion."

Before Buck could respond, a Pagmok announced Tommy's arrival.

In an instant, and without his mother's approval, Ajnoc was off the floor and running for the door.

Mjonca smiled. "Sir Tommy means a great deal to my son. I am so pleased."

Buck grew somber. "My lady, if I might get personal for a moment."

Hesitantly, she nodded.

"Do you plan to tell him of his father?"

"That he is human and—forgive me for not telling the truth, that he was killed in a space battle. I have learned Jarred's middle name, Arnold, and plan to give that to Ajnoc. Beyond that, he will know little."

"With age, the boy's curiosity will lead him to the truth."

"You do not approve," Mjonca said her face showed concern.

"Why not tell him? He is quite alert and others will know and if the boy is not prepared to deal with it…" Buck shook his head.

"Djac said you would not agree. I think that is what he admired most about you. Give them the truth and they will find a way to deal with it. He called that a most admirable trait."

"And you must tell him that I ordered our fleet to chase down his father's ship with him aboard." Buck's voice, quiet and gentle, was filled with anxiety.

"That will be most difficult. I must pick the time carefully."

Buck agreed and thanked her. "Mjonca, Emperors Djac, and Sebastian, are very much interested that our two worlds establish meaningful contact. After I return from the Hommew world, I would like for you and Ajnoc to accompany me to Iona. It has the Emperor's approval if you decide to go. I have every confidence your son, and you would be most welcome. You have Sebastian's assurance of that. And of course, Tommy being a relative would guarantee your reception. My children are aboard so Ajnoc will have playmates."

"I don't know what to say. It is such a decision." She looked at her hands as if they held her answer.

"Djac suggested some ladies could accompany you, as many as you want. We have more than enough room on the ship to accommodate those you may choose to bring. I will make the same offer to the Hommew. Our squadron will make the trip to the Hommew home world and return in four months."

"My Lord, I need some time to think on this. May I give you my answer later? I shall respond before your return to Myslac."

Buck thanked Mjonca. With some effort, outside on the lawn, the two pried Ajnoc and Tommy apart.

Aboard the aircar, Buck told Tommy of his offer to Mjonca.

"Hell of an idea. I told ya we don't turn our back on family. Ajnoc and his momma would be welcome in my home. Damned good idea, Lord Fryman. Damned good idea."

The next day Buck's squadron departed Myslac. The Emperor broke tradition when he, along with at least ten thousand approving Kalazecis, saw them off at the spaceport.

***

True to his word, Buck returned to Myslac with a delegation from Hommew. Mjonca and Ajnoc, along with a dozen Kalazecis, men, women and two children, came aboard for the trip to Iona. No Pagmok were included. Even the warriors doubted the Ionian's were ready for them.

The second day in space, Buck set up classes to prepare both the Kalazecis and Hommew with every bit of information possible about Iona. Crewmembers spent considerable time showing their Kalazecis and Hommew guests vids of their new home and particularly how the people lived. Linguistic classes were held teaching English. Ajnoc proved adapt at picking up the language and nuances but not without some angst. It seemed his proficiency included most of Tommy's jargon, to his mother and Buck's dismay. The time Mjonca had spent with Jarred Mahoney made her transition easier.

Tommy, chin pulled in tight, standing tall made no effort to hide his pleasure. Then there was Admiral Tenkiller. The translation of his name in Hommew initially left some doubts they had made the right decision but Buck had dispelled any worries before their return to Myslac. Iona's scientists had developed an inoculation for the Kalazecis, making the Ionian air breathable removing their need for rebreathers.

The Hommew didn't require the adjustment.

The small fleet arrived at Iona, met by an array of welcoming ships. Each debarking Kalazecis and Hommew accepted a translator from a crewmember as a precaution. Buck took his place at the head of the group.

He looked out the porthole as the launch approached the tarmac.

Iona celebrated the Kalazecis and Hommew arrival for three days with dances and parties. Sebastian sent personal messages to Djac and the Hommew king explaining that Iona looked forward to the exchange of ambassadors.

"I have never seen anything like this," Mjonca said, bewildered with the reception. Ajnoc was less apprehensive than his mother was. Every joy ride within eyesight was a must do. Tommy Simms, his first chaperone, soon tired and was replaced by Donald Rasby, head of palace security. Rasby’s endurance proved lacking as well and he, in turn was replaced by Brenna Smith Rasby who was a different matter. She and Ajnoc immediately took to each other and neither were ever the same. Brenna owned and managed a woman's boutique that catered to every feminine desire. She always saw the best side of any situation and guided the boy accordingly. She considered it needed practice for her soon to be born son.

***

"Djac sent a lengthy and detailed account of events on Myslac," Sebastian said eyeing Buck. "You’ve had a very rough experience, my friend." He shook the Lord's hand. Sebastian motioned toward chairs next to the window. That seemed a favorite spot for him. The Emperor had put on a few pounds but Buck kept the thought to himself.

"Majesty, no one can climb a smooth mountain," Buck responded and watched his Emperor's response.

"A philosopher," laughed Sebastian. "You continue to amaze me, Buck."

"Something I picked up from Emperor Djac, Majesty."

"I would like to meet the Emperor. Monarchs seldom do. Maybe it will be different this time. Until you brought the Kalazecis here to Iona, I'd never met another species. Quite an experience."

Sebastian stood, took a seat in front of his desk and asked Buck to join him. Something, to Buck's recall, he'd never seen before.

"We have the other matter resolved, the long-life gene," the Emperor said. "The Federation is handling it. Everyone gets the injection. Some know it won't work for them, but want to try anyhow. They may be the exception. Good for them I say."

Buck briefed the Emperor on Myslac, the revolt, Mahoney's part and particularly, Tenkiller's contribution. Many of the details he left out, knowing Sebastian would read his report.

"Jarred Mahoney will spend the rest of his life on our penal planet." Sebastian paused for a moment. "The court should have hanged him."

Buck wanted to change the tone of the conversation. Coyly he looked at his Emperor and said, "Majesty, you wanted to drive a freighter with real rubber wheels. There is one sitting out front waiting for you."

Books by Kenneth E. Ingle

SCIENCE FICTION:

THE QUEEN'S BEST

SARAGOSA PRIME

FIRST CONTACT

SECOND CONTACT

GALACTIC FREIGHTER

THIRD CONTACT

MYSTERY/THRILLER:

WHO KILLED THE KILLER

CROSS THE STYX

TO KILL A THIEF