Wandering Engineer 6: Pirates Bane (43 page)

“Understood Admiral,” Sprite replied. “I'll do my best,” she said
and then signed off.

Irons watched her sign off and then sat back, thinking over that
little cutting remark she had hit him with. He frowned thoughtfully,
uncomfortable where it would lead. He wasn't certain he wanted to know or find
out just now.

<----*----*----*---->

Sprite heard the call over the security radio and checked the brig
cameras. She noted the security guards pulling the young man out. He was
hunched over, chest heaving, dripping blood. He gasped and collapsed onto the
deck. “Medic!” Gustov called through his implants. “Not that he deserves one,”
he muttered.

“Admiral,” Sprite said, turning her attention to the Admiral. He
looked up. “Clancy, the Horathian who had surrendered with Ian was stabbed in
the brig just now.”

The Admiral scowled. “Have Gustov do another search. A full scan
and body search if needed. If he has to, pull them out, do a strip search, have
the medics do a cavity search while another team search the brig. I want any
additional weapons or other items found and removed.”

“Understood. From the look of it, it's an improvised weapon.
Plastic.”

“All right. We'll figure something out, even if we have to do a
count on the silverware for every meal. I don't want this happening again. I
especially don't want this happening to one of our people,” he growled.

“Lieutenant Gustov is in full agreement now that he has thought of
that as well sir,” Sprite said. She knew Irons was in a foul mood. “They are
transporting the prisoner to sickbay now. The wound is in his chest.”

“Keep me posted,” the Admiral said.

Clancy was stabilized in sickbay but died of a heart attack from a
nightmare in the night.

The next morning the marines pulled a full court press search on
the brig. They woke the prisoners up and forced them out under careful watch of
the marines in body armor, and the robots. The Horathians were confused, but
some noted the new uniforms and mocked the crew. A few were beaten for their
sharp tongues. Gustov landed on the excessive force when he caught it in the
act. He wasn't very sympathetic to the victim however.

Some of the prisoners complained about the lack of activities, the
crowding, and the poor food. Lewis laughed bitterly. “Let me get this straight.
You bitch and whine about what we had to put up with for a year? In between the
torture and beatings you put us through? You want a real sample of what you put
us through asshole?” he snarled.

That shut the Horathians up.

When they escorted the prisoners back to the brig one lingered
near the back. He leaned close to a suddenly wary Burrows. “I'd like to be
separated if I may. I'd like to talk to your Commander,” he murmured.

“I just bet you would,” Lieutenant Burrows growled. “Ain't
happening,” he said.

“You don't understand. I'm a Doctor,” the man said, turning to the
Lieutenant. I saw what happened. I've seen what they have done. I'm not from
Horath; I was picked up, enslaved really, like you. I want out.”

“I... shit,” Burrows sighed. He pulled the man out of line. Lewis
turned to him.

“What gives?” he asked, nodding his chin to the prisoner.

“He's asking for asylum. Said he's not from Horath. I think the Admiral
may want to hear his story.”

Lewis studied the prisoner for a long moment. Finally he shrugged.

“We'll see,” he said. “I'll make a call,” he said.

<----*----*----*---->

The Admiral and Ian looked up from their seats in the wardroom as
Burrows escorted the prisoner in.

The older man looked around, and then down to the two holographic
avatars on the table, one of Sprite, another of Bounty. Sprite moved aside as
Defender appeared beside her briefly and then moved back when the AI pulled
back.

“So it's true. You have AI,” the man said, staring.

“That and a lot more,” the Admiral replied. He was a bit annoyed
to lose Kinja, Sisko, and a few of the ratings to Hoshi's team. Caid was
apparently no loss, nor was Diegan according to Sindri. “You want asylum?”

“Yes. I am Doctor Hasad. I was taken from my home to serve the
Horathian's. I am not like them. I don't want to be them.”

“Okay, doc, let's start from the beginning. We haven't had the
time to interview the prisoners, so unfortunately you've been left in there a
while. Why didn't you come forward earlier?” Ian asked. “For that matter, why
didn't you say something to us when we were prisoners?”

“I... couldn't,” the man said uncomfortably. I was a prisoner
myself, and watched. Always watched. Always a guard or someone near. Near you
or me.”

“I see,” the Admiral said before Ian could say anything else. “What
planet are you from? Star system?”

“I am from New Horizon. When the fleet passed through the system,
they stopped to conquer my planet,” he said and stopped. His face worked in a
mix of helpless anger and grief. “Apparently the Doctor on this ship was not up
to par. The Captain demanded the best from Capital city. I was asked to
volunteer or they would kill my people,” he shrugged. “And here I am.”

“Here you are. Here we are,” Ian said, studying the man. “All this
time and you never said a thing. Never whispered, never looked, never passed a
note. No kind word or deed
Doctor
,” he said, practically spitting out
the last word.

“I'm sorry,” the Doctor said simply, shoulders hunched, head down.
“I did the best I could for those I could.”

“I see,” Ian said.

“There are others like me. Some of your former crewmates. They did
what they had to do to survive.”

“And you'll vouch for them?” Irons asked.

“Yes,” the man said, spreading his hands as far as the handcuffs
and chains would allow. “What else would I do?”

“You look like you once wore glasses,” the Admiral said, sitting
back. The man had gray hair and muttonchops. He was wearing an orange jump
suit. Gustov had issued the prisoners orange jumpers to make them stand out
from the crew. Each was stenciled with prisoner on the back and tagged with
micro tracking devices.

“Interrogation insufficient for loyalty test Admiral,” Defender
stated. “But ship records confirm his origin and identity. His voice stress
analysis also confirms his story.”

“The AIs are analyzing you now,” the Admiral said, leaning
forward. The man blinked at him. Ian turned in surprise. “They have confirmed
your identity and your statements. I am curious though about you and what you
have seen.”

“I... can I have a drink of water?” the man asked. “It is a long
story. I do not know much of what happened outside sickbay, but all I know is
yours.”

“All right,” the Admiral said, nodding at the offer of
cooperation. “We'll have you moved to a separate cabin. You will be under house
arrest and guarded. Do you accept that?” The man nodded. “I will remind you,
you will be under surveillance at all times. You will also be expected to
answer all questions truthfully. No evasions.”

“Yes, I understand,” the Doctor said. “To just get out of there,”
he shivered. “That man died right?”

The Admiral nodded.

“I thought so. I heard them plotting. I saw as two held him down
calling him a traitor while the other stabbed him over and over. I don't want
that happening to me. Some of the others have been threatened.”

“We'll take them one case at a time,” the Admiral said. He waved a
hand. “Commander Sprite?” Sprite's avatar turned to him. “Work with security
and the exec here to arrange quarters and treatment for the Doctor. And please
work with Lieutenant Defender and Bounty in questioning the Doctor.”

“Aye sir,” Sprite said on her best behavior.

The Admiral returned his attention to the Doctor. “If you are
truthful and the AI believe you aren't a security risk, we will see about a
posting on one of the ships. Few men get second chances to do the right thing Doctor,
don't blow it,” he said.

The Doctor nodded. Irons waved to Burrows to escort him back out.

“You don't think he's playing you sir?” Ian asked.

Irons turned to him. “First, he's been vetted by the AI. The
Horathian's didn't have time to purge their files, so we took that part intact.
Right Sprite?”

“Yes sir. He is who he says he is. So far his story checks out. We
can't confirm anything that wasn't recorded in the ship's logs or files
however.”

“Okay,” Ian said, nodding. “But did he come here like he said he
did? It still bothers me.”

“It bothers me a bit too. But Defender was running a voice stress
analysis and temperature analysis on the good Doctor while we talked. So far,
that was proven true as well. Correct?”

“Yes sir,” Defender admitted.

“The AI will go over him and pick his brain. In the process they
will vet him.”

“I'd like to be in it sir. Or, Gustov or someone.”

“You mean you don't trust us?” Sprite asked, turning. She smiled.
“I'm hurt,” she teased.

Ian blinked in confusion. “Don't mind her,” the Admiral said,
waving a hand. “And it would be nice to have someone else in on the
interrogations. If only to learn the ropes.”

“I... see.”

“Sprite if you have any intelligence or criminologists, or other
similar career track minded people, please have them sit in.”

“Will do Admiral,” Sprite replied with a nod.

“We may give them a second chance Commander,” the Admiral turned
to Ian. “But we don't have to be stupid about it. We'll watch him and anyone
else. If you've got a few in mind, let me know. We'll separate them out.”

“Separate the sheep from the goats. Or wolves as the Admiral
said.”

“Outside the influence of the Horathians, the people may try to
revert to their previous roles in the crew, reestablish old ties and try to
make amends. Or they may be pressured by the prisoners to pretend to do so. We
shall see.”

“Sir, it is a distraction and a potential security risk,” Defender
replied. “I renew my protests.”

“They are on record. And as I said Lieutenant, you'll be the
primary part of the vetting service. So get it right the best you can. We might
let a goat or two slip through, but hopefully they slip up early enough and we
can toss them back in the brig. They won't get a third bite at the apple
though,” he said.

“Good.”

<----*----*----*---->

After Clancy's death the Admiral revisited the request at
segregation and wordlessly granted it. He had a compartment next to the brig
cleared. Fortunately it was a small cargo bay. Engineers followed Defender's
plans and outfitted the compartment with bunks welded to the walls, a small
latrine, and a different hatch. This one had a slot to pass meals through, or
secure prisoners.

Hidden cameras and microphones were planted all over the
compartment. They would have to be fed through the slot. Marines were briefed
to treat them with caution and not to allow any sexual contact.

Gustov had the ladies report to the brig hatch. The ladies moved
quickly. One was goosed by a male. Another male tried to stop them but she
silently got around him. One by one the ladies were scanned and searched by
nurse Glenn. Two had improvised shivs, both were confiscated. Then they were
securely cuffed, hooded, and then escorted to their new living quarters where
they were set free. A guard was posted outside their hatch at all times.

“It didn't take them long,” Sprite said sounding amused.

“Take who long?” the Admiral asked distractedly as he worked on
the hyperdrive controls.

“The female prisoners. It was a partial ploy. Two tried to find a
way out. They are tapping on the bulkheads. The others have settled down in
their bunks.”

“Given up?”

“Or just biding their time.”

“Possible. What else?”

“Well, Lieutenant Glenn is doing well with the Therapy sessions.
She has two scheduled daily. About an hour each. It's hard on her though.”

“Hopefully she'll pick up a couple people who can help her out
and pick up the slack. Give her a break,” the Admiral said.

“I'm tapped out Admiral,” Sprite said. “Though I can give the
occasional appearance if they are okay with it. Since it is medical I don't
want to tread on any toes and violate anyone's right to privacy.”

“Sure,” the Admiral said, noting the white lie in that statement
but letting it go. “Anything else?”

“I think we've narrowed the field for the other prisoners. The
ones we talked about. I have ten possibly twelve candidates in mind. I've run
them past the crew for recommendations and referrals. Two stand out, they tried
to help the prisoners by slipping them scraps or going easy on them when they
thought the Horathian's weren't looking.”

“We'll see then.”

<----*----*----*---->

Twelve of the prisoners were identified as former crew of one of
the freighters. They were interviewed and judged to be worthy of a second
chance. All of the turncoats were closely monitored by the AI. Two turned out
to be acts within hours, and after getting caught they were immediately
returned to the brig. Sprite and Bounty were amused when the triple turncoats
flopped down in disgust.