AMP Private War (12 page)

I had no doubt Michael Felix would win the seat as he was professional and worked hard to achieve everything he had accomplished. I was curious to see how he would manage when it came to the game of politics where he would have to play largely by the rules of someone else. I was sure he would adapt.

As I sat on a stool by the bar I decided to see what the local chatter was. I first bought rounds for the two sots sitting next to me and then moved on to the rest of the crowd. Within minutes I had a handful of eager takers gathered around my stool.

I spoke, "So, I've been away from the Grid for quite some time. Anybody have anything of interest that they have heard of? Is this area of Alpha section worth relocating to? Is it fit for a small import business?"

A man wearing a red shirt with a picture of a Marine aiming a blaster at some defenseless farm animal spoke first. He was already beyond one too many drinks for the day. "I tell you... I tell you... I tell you I saw this alien with two heads the other day. Both of them was a runnin' their mouths and neither one would shut up. This other Omrin fellow got up and punched one of them right in the snout. Knocked him out cold! The other head turned them around and ran off with the one head bobbin' all over the place. Darnedest thing I ever saw!"

Several of the other Messengers around me grabbed his shoulders and shoved him out of the group. He wandered off towards the other end of the bar. The next to speak was a woman. "Ever since Felix took control I've only had two jobs a month. That's about half of what I was doing before. His crony over there is handing out the good jobs to his pals. I would complain, but there is no one to complain to."

In my years in the Messenger service there had always been an ombudsman available to settle disputes. Michael Felix had done away with the position and assumed the power that it had previously held. Every decision now benefited Michael Felix before benefiting anyone else.

A third Messenger then spoke up. "Well Mr. if you do locate here you might be in for a jump pretty soon. I hear the Milgari are getting closer and we may have to pick up and run again before long. Sure would have liked to stay in this sector until I get my ship paid for."

I questioned him on the Milgari. "So, have there been any attacks or anything? I mean, have the Grid forces had to defend the... Grid?"

Another Messenger spoke up. "I heard another species got wiped out. The Pachis or something like that. It was a sector we bypassed during the last Jump. If that's true, the Milgari aren't far off. I got two daughters just starting school this next semester. Makes me nervous to be in one of the outer sections of this ship. I lost a cousin last time when those mammoth cannons out there failed to stop an attacking ship in time. Just don't want my daughters to have to worry about that."

A fourth Messenger then stepped into the conversation. It was Miles Hardig. I had worked with him on a couple relay runs in the past. He seemed a straight up guy. "They have been catching a few to many spies around here for my comfort. I can see why though with that corrupt bunch we elected to run this show. And I will be voting for Felix come this next election. He might be difficult to work with, but I'm certain he's not a spy."

The group erupted in loud conversation. When they had settled down the woman who had spoken earlier again joined in. "If that clown gets elected I think it just shows the sad state of affairs around here. I'll be voting for whoever runs against him and I'll tell you the one simple reason why. A girl's gotta eat!"

Again the group erupted in dispute. A shoving match ensued and the bartender was quick to break it up. When he got back behind the bar he looked directly at me and spoke. "Sorry Sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. The owner has a policy of no rough stuff in here. Anyone who is involved is asked to leave, that includes those who weren't involved in the pushing Sir. You can return once things have settled down."

I nodded in agreement and held out my credit store to pay my tab. Myself and the group that had been surrounding me were soon out in the main hall. The drunk put his hand on my shoulder. "Ex... excuse me... but... when are you going to be back?"

I gently removed his hand. "Oh, I think I'll let things settle for a while. And if I were you, I would head home and sleep that off. And here, take a mint for Pete's sake, you have a gutter breath going on there that is melting the buttons on my shirt!"

The drunk looked at me for several seconds before responding, "Thank you Sir. I'll think about that on my way home." The man stumbled off down the hallway.

When I turned around the woman who had been talking in the bar was standing behind me. She was short, standing only a meter and a half tall, but she was feisty and had a spirit to her that I could tell was pushing her along. "Say, never did catch your name. You say you are new to Alpha bay?"

I responded, "The name is Bumbalee, Rex Bumbalee. Is there another bar around here where we can chat?"

The woman held out her hand. "Doris, Doris Jenkins. Just down around the corner is House of Booze. As long as you don't mention buying for the house again they will leave us alone. Bumbalee? I can't say that I've heard that one before. Did you pick that one up off Grid?"

I chatted with Doris as we walked. "Why yes I did. Parents resettled on a planet named Martool, I was abandoned and raised by a local. I took their name when I was old enough to legally do so."

Doris stopped and grabbed my arm. "Abandoned! Man I tell you. It never seems to amaze me at how selfish some people can be. I've heard that there are some who move off world who do it for just that purpose, you know, to dump a kid they didn't want."

Doris then smacked her forehead with her palm. Dit! "You'll to excuse me Rex. I sometimes open my mouth and say things before thinking about what I'm saying. That came out a bit insensitive."

I smiled as we turned into the House of Booze. "That's OK Doris; I've been known to do that time or two myself. Your apology has already told me the type of person you are. And besides, I've grown a pretty thick skin over the years; there are plenty of completely insensitive people out there."

We sat in a booth and ordered two drinks from the waitress. Doris had wildcat eyes, she leaned across the table. "So, you single Rex? Got little ones running around the home? Where is home by the way? You still on Martool?"

I put my arm up on the back of the booth bench I was sitting on. "No, no, not on Martool anymore. Haven't been there for a while, have been bouncing around between worlds. Trying to get a mining business up and running. Well... we actually have it up and running, we are out looking for new customers."

Doris again leaned in on the table. "You need an ore hauler or just about any smaller commodity then I'm your gal Rex. I can fly just about any crate out there. I've been at it for two years solid now and I've never come close to either losing a load or even being late. I keep pushing that, but it doesn't seem like stats matter anymore, just who you know."

From only a few minutes of chatting I could tell that Doris was a woman of action. She would do what it took to get the job done and she would do it with pride and professionalism. I was not on the Grid for recruiting, but during our short conversation, she seemed like she might be a good fit for the team. I was about to start doling out my array of questions for her when a drunk came to close to the table and sloshed his drink.

Doris jumped to the back of the booth with lightning reflexes and then propelled herself upward in one move. Her boot impacted the drunk’s chest and he was soon flying backwards across the floor. I was sure her boot had left an imprint.

"Get a grip you idiot! You want to waste a good beer on me then don't try to do it on the side of my head next time!" She looked and pointed at the guy as he slowly got up from the floor rubbing his chest. His friends were in the booth directly behind us and they were howling with laughter. One of the men then poked his head over the back of the booth.

"Missy, you just made my day. Let me buy you a beer!" Doris turned slowly and smiled. She then reached up and poked him in the eye with her finger. His table of friends again erupted in laughter. When Doris looked back at me she suddenly became embarrassed.

"Uh. There I go again. I'm sorry Rex, I just have a tendency to say things or to react before I think about what I'm doing. Guess I just draw unwanted attention sometimes, kind of follows me around if you know what I mean."

After an hour of getting to know Doris Jenkins I offered her a job as the liaison for our mining company. She would receive a regular salary and her job would be to gather information on the business dealings in all commodities coming and going from the Alpha section. In addition, she would be flying once a month to a different world where her mission would be the same.

Through the knowledge of knowing the commodities flow in and around the Grid I hoped to gather information on what might be getting delivered to the Admiral. I was sure much of the Tantric ore we had sold was being delivered to him, but I wanted to know the pace at which he was building ships.

As our own mining operation continued to grow we would soon have more ore than we could sell on the open market. And if we were able to capture any more from the Milgari, we would need a new place to sell it. When we left the bar, Doris walked away with a big smile. She had employment and she couldn't wait to throw it in the face of Michael Felix's Messenger contract assigner. She was now free of his manipulations.

Upon my return to Bullwort the troops were ready for another mission. It was decided that we would take a ride out to the Milgari Tantric mine. Our fleet of a cruiser, two frigates and eight Defenders stopped short of the system where the mine was located. Frig and I took the Swift in for a few hours of observation.

Frig spoke, "Sir, I'm detecting 36 ships out there. There are 16 battleships, nine cruisers, ten destroyers and a large transport. Give me a moment for a deep scan of the planet and... there are very few living beings down there Sir. Either the mining crew that was there before has somehow escaped and they are bringing a new crew or they are loading the previous crew onto that transport."

Nearly a minute passed between scans. "Sir, the second scan shows that they are transporting workers down to the surface. It appears that they are attempting to restart the mine. Perhaps someone was able to rescue those miners Sir. At least we can hope so."

It appeared that the Milgari were indeed reopening the mine. But it would be many months before the operation was once again productive and many months after that before any new treasure would be sitting in a freighter, waiting to be captured. And with the number of ships present it appeared that the Milgari were taking the security of their mining operation seriously.

For three days we sat observing the mining colony. We were in need of a new target. On the fourth day we had our first lead. A supply ship arrived and spent the day unloading cargo. When it departed we took note of its direction and laid a course for the first star system that it would intersect with. It was a three week journey. The galaxy was a big place and even though our ships were ultra-fast traveling light-years of distance took time.

When we arrived the system had a green planet with a very large Milgari base. Two large space docks orbited above her while a huge expansive city covered nearly a quarter of the green planet below. Frig went immediately to work scanning every ship as well as the planet’s surface below.

"Sir, there are four battleships and eight cruisers in the system. And those space docks have armaments."

"There is one ship currently parked at the leftmost dock Sir. I am showing a cargo hold full of Diamond, a veritable fortune on the free market. If we were looking to steal a cargo Sir, that might have an impact financially. Even though the Milgari are expanding, they still maintain trade relations with a number of other empires. They don’t supply all of their own commodities."

Upon return to the Suppressor the scan information was passed to the Colonel and his staff for evaluation. Within half an hour the first draft of a raid was taking shape. Several hours later the Colonel was convinced the assault plan was solid and had given the green light for a go. Orders were given and the plan was put into motion.

The Sleuth and the Slayer, along with the eight Defenders would be used to rid the threat of the Milgari ships. All resources would then be used to silence the armaments on the space dock under assault while the Slaughter pulled up alongside and boarded the freighter. The Ghouls would then fly the freighter out to a predetermined point where we would unburden it of its cargo.

As we approached a new ship entered the system. It was jet black and had an outer hull shape that I had seen before. It was a Durian warship. I halted our attack and we again sat back to observe, this time with our attention on the Durian.

The Durian ship settled in next to the freighter loaded with Diamonds. The freighter was released from the dock and the two ships then turned and headed out of the system. I shook my head and looked at Frig. "So, the Durians are playing both sides. Go figure. Is anyone involved in this fight with the Milgari not playing for both teams? First, the Admiral’s man Cortes and now the Durians, and they just made off with our Diamonds!"

A discussion soon arose about going after the shipment. We were not at war with the Durians and even though I had been aboard one of their ships we did not have knowledge of their ability to fight. What weapons did they possess? What Armor? And how maneuverable would they be in battle? All were unanswered questions.

I spoke, "Colonel, I think hitting that cargo now is a loss. The Durians are an advanced species and one that we do not want coming after the Grid. We have enough enemies in the Milgari. I say we keep looking for another supply line or cargo to raid. Do what we can to hamper the Milgari threat."

The discussion had been going on for hours when another new ship entered the system from the direction of the Durian. It was a second freighter. "Frig. Get us a scan of that freighter. I’m betting we just saw a trade happen and whatever is on that new freighter is something the Milgari were willing to trade that Diamond cargo for."

The scan finished and rig looked up from his console at me. "Sir, you won’t believe it. The freighter is loaded with refined Tantric Sir. One can only conclude that the raid we made prior to this took a severe toll on their ability to produce ships. They have had to trade valuable commodities for more ore Sir. I believe this cargo will be easier to move once we have it home. Diamonds have their industrial uses, but their primary market remains the luxury market, with a shipment that size, it would have taken us years to sell through it."

The Colonel altered his assault plans for the new freighter. We waited patiently for it to complete its docking maneuver before once again putting our plan into play. The Slayer was the first ship into battle, going head to head with a Milgari battleship.

The Colonel came over the comm. "OK team! Let’s carve us up a battleship!" The Milgari was the first to fire with a direct hit on the Slayer. Four layers of Tanric were burned through before the Slayer returned fire. Two heavy negative ion streams ripped through the forward plates of the Milgari ship, taking out the port cannon as their damage spread. The Milgari returned fire.

The Sleuth dropped into the fray making use of its new ion inhibitor field. The conical shape spread out from her nose trapping and disabling three cruisers inside. Its own negative ion cannons were then used to carve up the cruisers with a potent stream of ions. The beams cut deep and within seconds all three cruisers were crippled with the second amongst them breaking in half.

Our Defenders had taken on the task of stopping the other three battleships from entering the battle.

Davis spoke, "Hard right! Hit that starboard cannon! I’m going to push us in close and rip a line down the side of that thing. Milly! Keep any cruisers off my back if you can."

Davis cut hard and flew in only meters above the surface of the battleship. His cannon set to negative and the pulses from it doing tremendous damage to the outer hull of the Milgari warship.

I lined up the Swift for a long shot on a cruiser. "OK Frig, let her have it. And keep the pulses coming as I want to burn a hole all the way out the back of that thing!"

The ion bolts rumbled as they left the Swift. One by one they impacted the cruiser as we continued on our approach. The last two bolts exited the rear of the ship fully intact. The cruiser now had a hole carved through it that began on the port gun turret and proceeded through the innards of the once mighty ship before exiting out of what had once been its starboard engine.

Eighteen minutes into our assault and the last of the Milgari ships went silent. Our attentions were turned towards the space dock.

I spoke, "Sleuth; get that inhibitor on that freighter and dock. Tell us when you're locked so the Slaughter can make a go of boarding her. Colonel, you are a go when she’s locked!"

The inhibitor field held the freighter in place and silenced the Milgari cannons on the space dock. Two negative ion bombs were then detonated making all blaster weapons onboard the dock and the freighter inert. The Colonel’s men could be seen on our sensors boarding the freighter.

The Colonel boarded with the second squad. "Harris! Take your team to that docking port and get it sealed off. Stephens, let’s get up to that Bridge and get his barge moving. I want us out of here in the next ten minutes!"

The squads split up with the Colonel following his men towards the Bridge.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

Harris gave status, "Colonel, resistance is light, coming up to the port crossover now. What the…"

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

"Colonel they got animals they are setting loose on us! We are coming back your way Sir!"

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

"Go! Go! Go!"

Ak-Ak!

"Arrrgh!"

"Colonel we are coming your way fast! They got Raphiel Sir; ripping him to shreds!"

Heavy breathing could be heard as the squad retreated.

Harris continued, "I only got a glimpse down that hall Colonel, but it was packed with those things. They are about half the size of a Mammis bull Sir, with much bigger teeth. And these AK rounds are hitting the mark, but it’s taking nearly a clip to bring one down. They attack in a rage Sir, so a few slugs won’t do much for slowing them down!"

The embattled squad rounded the corner to the Colonel’s position, when the first animal turned the corner after them the Colonel’s men cut loose with their weapons.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak!

The Colonel took command. "Pierce! Jester! Fall back towards the breach we came through and position for cover fire. We are going to roll back out the way we came in! Move! Move! Move!"

When the second creature rounded the corner the Ghouls once again cut loose with their conventional weapons.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

Pierce yelled, "I’ve seen a video of one of those Sir. It’s called a Feran Tiger Sir, they are fiercely loyal to their handler and just as we see here, they are hard to kill. We are going to need blasters for this one!"

The Colonel looked back at his men. "Morris! Bring up that bazooka. Let’s see how they do with a bit more power!"

Corporal Morris set up and a round was loaded into the bazooka by a Marine beside him. The next Feran Tiger rounded the corner.

Click. Wooosh! Booom!

The Tiger exploded with large chunks of its flesh scattering and covering the walls surrounding it.

"Nice Morris! Now fall back people! And keep cover on that hallway until we are out!"

The retreat continued as two more Feran Tigers turned the corner and sprinted at the men, both were cut down before they reached the Marines, but each had made it nearly three quarters of the way down the hall before their death.

When the last of the Ghouls had exited the freighter the breaching hatch was closed and locked. Two Feran Tigers clawed and bit at the transparent doors in a rage. The hallway outside soon had seven such Tigers pressing on the door or waiting just behind.

The Colonel once again spoke. "Grange! How long until those ion bombs wear off!"

Frig responded, "It is not an exact number Colonel, but roughly three more minutes."

The Colonel kicked the wall next to himself unleashing his own tirade. "Grrrrr! I don’t like being pushed back, especially by some dumb animal. Peters and Zanis! You take the point boys, and be prepared to get some guts on you. We are going to show those cats what a blaster will do!"

When the ion field had dissipated, Frig gave the go ahead. The breach hatch was opened and the obliteration of the Feran Tigers had begun. As the colonel had predicted, Peters and Zanis took the brunt of the exploding Tigers.

When the hallway had been cleared the Colonel stood and looked at his point-men. "Geez! You two look like you just went through a meat-grinder. Pope! We need two replacements for Peters and Zanis! They will be hitting the showers!"

The Colonel and his men then moved through the breach and once again onto the freighter. Before they reached the corner of the short hall the Colonel spoke. "Harris! Don’t stick your neck out before we have a look around that corner! If there was a long hall full of these things then why aren’t there more right here in our face? I’m betting they were followed by some troops and those troops are now waiting for us to show ourselves!"

Harris used a mirror to look around the corner. "You are right Colonel. I count eight lining that hallway and four more of those Tigers are being held back. Let me chuck a grenade down there and see if I can loosen things up!" The Colonel gave him a nod.

Harris pulled a grenade from his belt, looked at it and smiled. He stepped up to the corner of the wall, pulled the pin and then flung his arm around to throw the grenade towards the crouching Milgari troopers. Just as he released his grip a Milgari ion bolt entered his arm and exploded. Harris drew back a bloody stump as he collapsed backwards. The grenade rolled short of its intended target and detonated.

The Colonel was livid. "Get him back to triage and give me a few of those grenades!"

The Colonel stepped up to the corner of the wall. He pulled the pin from a grenade and threw it down the hall at an angle so that his arm was not exposed. Several bolts were fired down the hall and a scrambling of feet could be heard as the grenade bounced from wall to wall as it moved outward.

Booom!

The Colonel quickly released another grenade and then a third.

Booom! Booom!

A mirror was held out to look around the corner. The Milgari were retreating. The Colonel stepped out with his blaster rifle and fired three shots, downing two of the Milgari as they fled. As soon as he stepped back repeated ion blasts flew past his position, scorching the walls as they impacted along them.

The Colonel spoke, "Looks like we have a bit of a standoff! Grange! We need another ion bomb set off. Hook us up!"

The Colonel then turned to his men. "Who has the best arm here?" Several Marines turned to one man who slowly raised his hand. "I play retro-ball with the best of them Sir. Did a couple years on the circuit after retirement. Knees couldn’t take the constant pounding though Sir, but I guess I’m your man."

The Colonel waved him up. "Good. Donnelly; you are going to be our thrower. As soon as the lights go out again I want you to step out there and chuck these grenades down that hallway to the other end. I don’t want to see anything down there left standing!"