Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1) (38 page)

“Yes, Lieutenant?” queried Denke. “We are aware of your—er—divided loyalties. Consider yourself under arrest.” Denke had a stunner leveled, ready to fire. The lieutenant unfastened his weapons belt and pushed it away across the table. He did not speak. The major signaled a guard and the lieutenant was led out of the room, under arrest.

Steg continued. “House of Aluta recently has experienced major systems issues and their corporate structure has suffered immense financial losses. Alutan corporate defaults are at record levels. The House is insolvent.”

One of the attendees looked puzzled. “Why has this happened—they were vast, one of the most powerful houses?”

“They lost their computer systems—all their data disappeared and their systems collapsed. They lost details of their bank accounts, of their assets, of their business operations. While they’re in denial to some extent, creditors are moving in. Any surplus assets will be taken by Imperial courts as a result of legal actions now underway. The Emperor has taken a very active interest in this matter and has assured us that prosecutors across the Empire will take action. A number of prosecutors will end up as defendants. These people have been identified and evidence provided to the Imperial Attorney for action.”

General Boston offered his congratulations. “Well done, Steg. And you too, Denke. Well done.”

Steg nodded. “General, we are ready to move against the House of Aluta forces on Homeworld. Fleet confirmed yesterday that they issued recall orders for the marines and the two destroyers. Refusal by the destroyer captains to obey those orders will constitute mutiny—I doubt they will take the risk. Just in case, a Fleet dreadnought is on its way to oversee the recall. Departure of the warships—with their mercenary forces—will simplify our operation.”

The next meeting was with the newly arrived Tziksis. He was welcomed as a full Flag Admiral of a friendly system by both Fleet and Special Forces, with all the fanfare expected for such a welcome.

“Young princeling,” exclaimed the excited Djiis after the ceremonies were over. “You in much improved circumstances pleasant to see. I too in much better circumstances am. Before you the Flag Admiral of the Djiis fleet stands. Tziksis to this exalted position in response to popular acclaim promoted. Also a result of some backdoor boondoggling was.” He paraded in his uniform and Steg almost had to shield his eyes from the bright colors.

“Congratulations, Tziksis. I suppose as well, you’re in every deal made by the new Djiis fleet?”

“Oh, only a small bonus, and a small commission as well, here and there, Tziksis receives. All voluntary is. But more serious business calls. Your comrades otherwise will grow impatient.” He waved and clicked his eyestalks. “Come now, friends of young prince, and my story you will listen.”

General Boston, Denke and two other Specials officers gathered with Steg to listen to Tziksis as he recounted his story. Homeworld had appointed Tziksis as its agent, and had provided funds for him and his Djiis associates to acquire outstanding debt on Alutan freighters.

“First,” explained Tziksis, “news of Alutan crimes we published. Bad news prices lowered. We the truth told. When everyone frightened, we purchased. Some panic when the avalanche comes. The avalanche we helped. Now most of the commercial fleet, for want of payment by House of Aluta, we foreclosed.”

“How many ships did you—er—purchase?” inquired General Boston.

Tziksis tugged at a heavy report. “Detail of tonnages and contracts is. Very confidential is,” he checked the report. “Seventy-three percent of Alutan fleet units, eighty-five percent in tonnage. Most shipping contracts and charters we have renegotiated. At far better rates, of course.”

“Djiis now has a contract to manage this fleet on behalf of Homeworld,” advised Steg. “Although I’m starting to wonder which group were the pirates on Djii.”

“Yes, young master,” the small alien waved and clattered. “Much new business for Djii. And for you we special rates have.” The small group collapsed with laughter.

“Yes, I’m sure, Tziksis,” advised Denke. “But make sure you get cash in advance, these Homeworlders are a tricky lot.”

“Surely they are.” Tziksis bobbed his eyestalks.

“We know the farm machinery shipments arrived safely,” commented Steg. “What about transporting Special Forces? Are you ready for them?”

“Oh yes, young master. Our escort two very comfortable ex-Xesset troop transports includes. As many as you need, up to perhaps five thousand, we can carry.”

“General Boston,” advised Steg. “We plan to use the portals for one hundred Specials, with Denke in command. They will join the Homeworld Guard who are supported by a very eager militia. We only need additional Specials if something goes completely awry. For example, if House of Aluta brings in reinforcements. However, this seems unlikely.”

“Alutan ships do not worry us. Our new fleet is very fast and well armed. As long as we do not encounter Imperial Fleet star ships. That would be bad for us, a small state still making friends with the Empire.”

General Boston stepped into the conversation. “We’ll ensure no Fleet ships go anywhere near Homeworld,” he affirmed, “except for a dreadnought which will be under Special Forces control. I think you are good to go. We’ll issue authorizations—you’re carrying out a mission for the Special Forces. If your passengers are needed by Major Denke, you’ll have to land quickly.”

“My ships will,” boasted Tziksis. “They very fast were made, you know.”

“Er, yes—we have some knowledge of their capabilities,” Denke coughed. “We want accommodation for
only
one thousand Specials, although we’ll need capacity for our equipment. Just in case.”

“Excellent. My friend we can assist. Also a mission for the Empire out we can carry. Imperial Fleet from direct involvement in a domestic dispute is saved. Djiis for future operations you can retain. All is well.”

“We’ll consider that,” confirmed Boston. He indicated the table that had been prepared by white-jacketed stewards. “Come, we welcome you to our base.”

******

Chapter 32

Denke completed briefing the Homeworld relief
team. He had hand-picked his one hundred, a small company by general standards. However these were members of the Imperial Special Forces and he knew their capabilities. The relief team, heavily armored and carrying large weapons packs, were ready to depart for Homeworld where they would join with the Castle Guard. If they encountered heavy Alutan forces he would call on the battalion carried by Tziksis in his ex-Xesset star ships.

He and Steg led the team to the Jochum II portal. They all had portal experience, and Denke did not expect to receive any reports of portal failure or misdirection. Just before sunrise on Homeworld Denke sent Steg ahead to alert the Castle Guard, and then dispatched his team in rapid sequence. When he followed the last person through, the team was already threading its way up the long stairway to the lower reaches of Castlehome. He overtook the more heavily laden troops and caught up with Steg and three Castle Guard officers at a major passageway junction.

“DefNet is now in our control,” Steg advised. “Alutan communications are blocked off—they’ve flagged it as a com failure. They can’t regain access; the Complex has made sure of that and is blocking their local communications, as well. Now, I’ll take the first squad and Lieutenant Jones with me to free Rakyd from his prison cell. Major Reading and Lieutenant Ascot will escort you the rest of the way to the surface and to our Guards. Depending on Rakyd’s state, I’ll either leave him and catch up with you, or stay and take care of him.”

Denke nodded his acquiescence and Steg signaled to the leading squad, which veered off to follow him along a side passage. He set a rapid pace since he was not armored apart from his chain mail, and he carried only Ebony. Eventually, after a number of direction changes and after climbing more stairs, they reached their target.

Steg pressed up against a ventilation grill set in the wall, and peered through the narrow vertical vents. The grill was set far too high and he was unable to see any movement. He listened carefully and thought he could hear soft conversations and the occasional jangle of heavy keys, probably from guards patrolling the makeshift prison. He moved further along, after signaling his squad to follow silently. He found a narrow descending passageway between the rough natural rock foundations and a smoother, man-made wall and carefully edged down the crumbling stairway. When he reached the bottom, he continued, taking short shuffling steps as he penetrated further into the cleft. A ventilation grill scraped his face and he peered through into an empty room. Here, he thought, we can blast our way into this room, and gain access to the dungeons.

“Denke,” he called on the DefNet comunit. “We’ve reached a possible backdoor to the dungeons. However, we have to blast our way in. It’ll take five minutes to set up the HEx. What’s your progress? “

“We’ve joined with the Guard units. We can move against Lady Gaetja’s supporters when you need.”

“Start now. We want a diversion. I’ll let you know when we’re ready to blow the wall.”

They were too deep underground to hear the assault against the core Alutan forces supporting Lady Gaetja; however, Steg was confident it had commenced. He signaled the squad’s demolition expert and described his needs. She was fast, well-trained and had a joy for her job. She waved the squad back and then joined them around a protective corner. The blast was disappointingly subdued. Steg was surprised because he had expected lots more noise.

“We didn’t need very much HEx,” the demolition expert explained as they followed the squad, led by their sergeant. “Not like some people with stairwells.”

Steg smiled at the reminder. Knowledge of his heavy hand with HEx was widespread. The squad had already entered and taken up positions in what appeared to be a small recreation room. He signaled for a cautious advance, and the sergeant directed his men out into the main area. The dungeons were unguarded; the Alutan guards apparently had been summonsed to defend against Denke’s attack.

Steg again used DefNet. “Denke, we’re in the dungeons. It’ll take a few minutes to find keys and release everyone here.”

“Good. A number of Alutans have surrendered. Their casualties were very high. None on our part. Your Guards are ferocious. I think I might recruit some.”

“They’ve been frustrated with the situation for too long. Ask one of the Palace officers to lead a small force to meet us here. We need to protect Rakyd. Send a medic as well.”

He turned to the squad. “Lieutenant, see if you can find some keys to unlock these cells. Sergeant, take six of your men and control access into this area. I think the main entry is over there. I doubt the guards will return. However, stray Alutans could decide to revenge themselves on the prisoners. Allocate someone to keep a watch to protect our back. The rest of your squad can provide general protection and some can assist me once we get the cell doors open.”

He waited for the sergeant to allocate his small force. The lieutenant was already searching for keys. Steg began an examination of the cells. Each door was padlocked; he rattled a lock and peered in through a peephole. No one stirred. He feared the prisoners either were drugged or too injured to move. He called over the squad’s demolition expert.

“Lacy, how difficult will it be to open these padlocks without injuring anyone?”

“Sir, I can do that almost as quickly as using a key.”

“Do it. Start here, so I can see who they’ve imprisoned.”

Again, Lacy worked quickly. A soft crump was followed by the first padlock falling to the floor. She moved to the next cell. Steg opened the first door and checked the two occupants. Neither was his cousin. They were Guards officers; one a captain, and the other a lieutenant. Both were unconscious, apparently in a drugged sleep. He called to the lieutenant and halted the search for keys. Lacy’s approach was proving effective. Steg opened the now unlocked door to the next cell. It had one occupant.

“Rakyd,” called Steg, recognizing his cousin. He shook his cousin’s shoulder. “Rakyd, it’s me. Steg. Wake up.”

His cousin mumbled, semi-conscious. Steg called to the squad medic to check Rakyd. His cousin stirred and mumbled again. Steg could not distinguish any words.

“Sir, I don’t want to stimulate him—I don’t know what they used to drug him. His heartbeat is erratic. His breathing is OK. We should wait for a hospital medic to check him.”

Steg nodded his agreement. He called Denke on DefNet and explained the situation. “We need that medic. Perhaps more than one. We may need stretchers here as well. The prisoners have been drugged and are unconscious. I’ve not been able to waken anyone yet. Ask Major Reading to alert Castlehome Infirmary; we need their expertise and support.”

“My medic and his team are on their way—probably only minutes away. Opposition has eased off, only a hardcore remains. We think they’re Lady Gaetja’s personal guards. They’ve taken over the east wing; fortunately, well away from your location. The Palace Guards are very anxious for their Earl; I’ll dispatch more of them to assist you.”

Steg alerted his sergeant to watch for the medic team. Then he checked the occupants of the other now unlocked cells. All were unconscious, in the same apparently drugged state. Some, according to the squad medic, needed substantial medical assistance.