Inadvertent Adventures (12 page)

"That looks like--"

"--About ten tons of plastex," Sterling said. "Enough to destroy the ship and kill us all."

"I can't believe he would go that far," Lieutenant Commander Bradford said as the man in the suit stared at the crate full of explosives.

"I can," the Combine representative whispered. Turning to Ann, he said, "Admiral Stevenson, leave while you can. I think things are about to get very interesting here," the man in the suit said as he stripped off his jacket. "I'm afraid that our good Mister Allan O'Reordan has gone too far this time. He just made it worth the trouble to get rid of him."

Ann motioned everyone back aboard the ship and all but ran up to control. "Sterling, shove off immediately. I think a gang war just started on the docks. Navigator, plot a course to the Maori System. Sterling, get clearance from orbital control before all order is lost, and get us the hell out of here."

Sterling and Denise obeyed and the
Admiral Ann's Revenge
practically leapt away from the space docks. They were accelerating hard, using the extra power of their engines to speed out of the system. They had only gone a few thousand kilometers when the radio chatter began. The
'Company'
was fighting the
'Micks'
and doing well until someone set off the bomb at Green Dragon Eight. Then the Company changed tactics. Instead of trying to subdue the 'Micks' they started simply killing them. After that it was a slaughter. The crew of the
Admiral Ann's Revenge
continued to listen to the broadcasts until they reached a safe distance from the star and the velocity of point one C. Then they vanished as the fight for Dragon raged behind them.

* * *

The
Admiral Ann's Revenge
emerged from hyperspace nine days later and Ann immediately radioed the system government. "This is the independent freighter
Admiral Ann's Revenge,
Reserve Admiral Stevenson in command, on a course in-system of three-seven-one by two-five-eight. We have just come from the Dragon System where there appears to be a revolt or civil war starting. This is Reserve Admiral Annette Stevenson calling for assistance to be sent to Dragon."

"It'll take three hours for that to hit Maori System Control, Ann. You need to relax and let the Navy take over. There should be at least four ships in orbit," Sterling said as he set their course toward the star and began their deceleration.

"I just wish there was more we could do, but I know you're right," Ann said as she sat in her chair, wringing her hands in frustration. "At least the Navy can use higher initial velocities to get there faster.
They
don't have to pay for their own fuel."

Sterling didn't reply. He knew her far too well to think anything he could say would make her feel better about their circumstances.

Their message was replied to seven hours later.
"Admiral Ann's Revenge
, this is Captain Franklin Delany, commanding CSS
Galahad.
We are out-system bound on our way to the Dragon System. Admiral Stevenson, thank you for your assistance.
Wolf
and
Marilee Witherspoon
are in formation with us. We'll take care of the Dragon problem.
Galahad
out."

Ann looked over toward Amanda. "They should be on a reciprocal course to ours. When they get close I want to transmit everything we have, including the attempt to smuggle on board the
Revenge
and the bomb they tried to load."

"Yes, Ma'am," Amanda said from the helm position. She started compiling the message before she spoke again. "I hope they get there in time."

"So do I, Mandy. So do I." Ann stood and stretched her back muscles. "Let me know when they get close enough to speak to real-time. You have the con. What is your estimated time till contact?"

Mandy did some calculations, then shook her head. "Four and a half days, Ma'am."

"Damn," Ann muttered.

It was just four days before the trio of destroyers were in range. Ann sent her information and again addressed Captain Delany. "That's everything we have. Be careful with your crew, Captain. Those are not civilized people."

"Understood, Admiral. God Speed on your voyage. Delany out." The ships never came within optical range, but Ann imagined that she could see the three sleek shapes blasting through space anyway.

It took another five days to reach Maori orbit, and they were directed to the Zefram Engels Ship Yard to deliver the parts. There was little fuss made about it. The liner's passengers had been emptied onto another ship to continue their cruise nearly a month before, and the liner itself was now receiving a major overhaul due to the premature failure of the coils that made hyperspace travel possible.

The
Admiral Ann's Revenge
was directed to the commercial spaceport and refueled, and then Ann applied for another cargo.

T
HE TOWER APARTMENT IN GALWAY ECHOED
with the sound of a glass shattering against the fireplace. "What now?" asked the woman in a bored tone.

"We lost the Erin shipyard in the Dragon System."

"Saints preserve us," she muttered. "How could we lose a whole shipyard?"

"I don't have all the details yet, but apparently Allan O'Reordan tried to finish off the
Jolly Jane
survivors and started a fight with the company."

"We can recover. We'll just have to regain control."

He shook his head. "You misunderstand. It's
gone
. Allan tried to use a bomb on them. A big enough bomb that it would have left no trace even if it exploded in normal space. A big enough bomb that the Green Dragon Eight spacedock was completely destroyed. We have no people left in the Erin Combine's Dragon facility. They are all dead. The rest of the Erin Combine facilities all over the Confederacy have begun actions to dismiss our people."

"What is it about that miserable little ship and her crew that turns everything against us?"

* * *

"I just found out something interesting," Sterling said as he entered the
Revenge's
control room. "Our old friends at Amberson's own a controlling interest in Dragon."

"What are you thinking?" Denise asked.

"I'm thinking that we'd do well to contact someone about some unrelated incidents that may not be unrelated. That bar-fight you were involved in. The bomb in Dragon. Some other strange occurrences. I think Amberson's is annoyed with us."

Denise reached up and rubbed her arm. "You think they could be after us?"

"I think so. I also think Ann needs to be told, and I'm doing that next. I already warned Olaf not to let anyone onto the ship." Sterling went to find Ann, and told her what he thought was going on.

Ann listened quietly, then nodded. "Sterling, tell the crew that we're headed for Atlanta. We'll see if there's a cargo going that way, but I'll run dry if I have to."

"Ann?"

"I have to talk to Andy." And that was all she'd say about her reasons.

The ship left port nine hours later with a shipment of assorted goods from six different companies. It was still just eleven thousand tons, but it would be a break-even trip, not a losing one.

The ship and crew were quiet on the seventeen day transit, and Ann kept to herself most of the time. Even Sterling had a hard time getting her to talk.

The
Admiral Ann's Revenge
arrived in orbit around the planet Atlanta and Ann left everyone aboard as she caught a commuter shuttle to the surface. She'd radioed ahead and was met by a government limousine. The driver didn't say much beyond, "I'm here to take you to the secretary's office," and she simply remained silent the whole time.

Secretary of Commerce Andrew Fairmont looked up as his office door opened, then all but catapulted out of his chair to embrace his baby sister. "Annie, it's so good to see you! Mom sent me a letter about what you two did in Hobson's orbit. What kind of trouble are you in this time?"

"Andy, we need to talk privately," Ann said as she eased back from her brother.

"Annie, what
did
you do this time?"

"Not me, Andy. Sterling and two members of our crew."

Andrew looked at her before turning to the people sitting around his desk. "We'll continue this at a later date." All of them, government staffers with years of experience, immediately stood and left the room. "Over here, Annie."

Ann sat in the indicated chair and accepted an iced glass of whiskey from her brother. Once he was sitting in the facing chair, she told the story as fully as she knew it.

Andrew nodded. "I had heard most of that from Justice. They think Amberson's is deeply involved in organized crime. The New Erin mob."

"Our experience in Dragon would tend to substantiate that," Ann agreed.

"How much of this do you have proof of?"

Ann pulled a data-chip from her pocket and placed it on the table. "That's everything we've seen, heard, or surmised, Andy. And it's not enough."

Andrew sat back and thought, then picked up his communicator and dialed a number. "Steve? It's Andy. Any chance you could drift over to my office? Thanks. See you in a few minutes." He hung up the phone and smiled at his sister. "Now, while we're waiting, tell me about this ship of yours."

Fifteen minutes later, Secretary of the Interior Stephen Parnell walked in. "What's so important, Andy?"

"Steve, have you ever met my little sister, Annette?"

Secretary Parnell froze. "Annette
Stevenson
?"

"Mister Secretary," Ann said, nodding her head deeply.

"If the stories I've been hearing about you are true, you share a lot of characteristics with your brother, Missus Stevenson."

"Now there's no call for that, Steve," Andrew said with a laugh. "Steve, what can you tell us about the investigation into Amberson's?"

"Not much beyond what her husband supplied," he answered, cutting his gaze back to Ann.

"There's more," Ann said. "They are trying to kill my husband and crew."

"Oh, come now, they'd hardly--"

"They tried to load a bomb on my ship in Dragon," Ann interrupted. "There have been several other incidents as well."

"I hadn't heard about that. Was anyone hurt?"

"Not on my ship, but the bomb was detonated after we left. I don't know how many people were killed, but I doubt many survived the destruction of the Green Dragon Eight Space Dock."

"Oh, God
damn
them to hell," Secretary Parnell snarled. "I hadn't heard about any trouble in Dragon. I'm sorry. Is there anything else?"

"Yes. You'd better get to them before I do." Ann stood and smiled up at her brother. "Any messages for Mom?"

"I'll see her before you do. I'm going to Hobson's in four days."

"I have to get back to my ship. Andy, Secretary Parnell, be careful with those people. They aren't very civilized." She smiled and left the two men staring at her back.

"They
aren't civilized?" Andrew asked as the door closed. "She's right, Steve. You had better get them before she does. I don't want to visit her in prison for the rest of her life."

"She wouldn't really--"

"Like hell she wouldn't. You know my family."

Stephen took the data chip and went back to his own office.

* * *

The
Admiral Ann's Revenge
left Atlanta orbit with a hold full of paperwork. Crates full of real, solid, dead-tree paperwork. It was just about the only thing the Confederacy's Capital Planet exported.

Ann was quiet, and Sterling spent most of a day trying to get her to talk. Just before they went to bed she looked at him and sighed. "Sterling, I know I'm not very good company right now. I just wish there was more I could do to keep you safe."

Sterling wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her hair. "You have to let your brother and the rest of the government deal with Amberson's."

"I couldn't leave it at that, Sterling. You know there are several people I've crossed over the years, and many more who've crossed me. I keep pretty good track of them, but I had to search the government computers to verify the location of one of them. Then I sent her a note."

"What kind of note?" Sterling asked as he eased his embrace.

"A reminder that pissing me off isn't a healthy thing to do."

* * *

A force of thirty Confederate Security officers marched into the Amberson Tower sixteen days later. "Stand up and keep your hands in plain sight," the leader ordered as he approached the security desk.

"You can't--"

"You will keep your hands in plain sight or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice," the leader of the security officers snapped. "Stand up and step away from the panel. We have warrants for the arrest of twenty members of the Amberson Cartel Board of Directors. If you attempt to warn them so that they may escape, you will be arrested and charged."

The security guard put his hands up and pushed back from the panel. "I only work here, and the pay isn't that good. I'll do whatever you say."

Two of the ConfedSec officers took over the security panel. "The lobby is secure, sir."

"Very well," the leader said and led the rest of his force to the elevators.

It was too much to hope that no one would warn the board of directors, and several of them were trying to escape via the hoverpad on the roof, but the four armed Confederate Security fighters orbiting the tower had the Amberson pilots sitting on their hands. No amount of bluster, threats, or bribes was getting any of them off the ground under those conditions.

Not all of the directors had fled. The chairwoman in particular remained in her office. She was reviewing some paperwork when the security men burst through her door.

"Harriet O'Riley Ryan," the leader said as he strode forward, "you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit interstellar piracy, and conspiracy to commit murder."

"I think not, lad," she replied.

The security officer frowned. "I don't care what you think."