OMEGA Exile (18 page)

Half an hour later, we quickly closed on the
Murwall
. Joni broadcast the all-stop signal as we pulled alongside. The captain did not yield. I sent a signal for a core shutdown, and for a second time it was denied.

Joni spoke. "Wow, that’s two ships with those circuits removed. No wonder they didn’t want us doing an inspection. I think we are going to have to go in there hot."

I brought up a diagram of the docking bay area. "Fly us in at this angle and swing the tail of the ship around over to here. I think we should expect some small arms fire."

Joni followed my command and quickly had the
Daunte
positioned exactly where I had asked.

I stood. "Now, set those cannons to minimum and start taking out anyone who is threatening."

"Where are you going?"

I pulled on my helmet. "I’m heading to the cargo holds to see what’s so important. If they start shooting, try to keep them pinned down over in that corner. I’m going down the ramp-way and out through this corridor behind us. If you can keep them from crossing that bay, I can pull a fast inspection of all eight bays on this boat."

As the ramp-way lowered, several ion bolts shot out from the corner opposite our own. Joni returned fire, pushing the crewmen and their weapons back down the hallway toward the bridge. I sprinted down the corridor and turned down the first bay inspection hall.

Once through the doorway, I had an immediate answer as to what the Orwallians were shipping. "Joni, I am looking at cases of blaster tips. A quick estimate of this bay says there are four million of them in here alone. I’m heading to bay two."

Joni replied, "I have the crew corralled in the hallway for the moment. Make it quick so we can get out of here."

I rushed to the second bay and found the same cargo as in the eighth bay. The
Murwall
was transporting blaster tips, the main piece of a blaster weapon, toward Cardello. It would build enough blasters to outfit a rather large army. I skipped the remaining bays and hustled back to the
Daunte
and up the ramp-way.

After pulling off my helmet, I sat in the pilot’s chair. "We can’t leave."

"What? Why?"

I pointed back to the bays. "We can’t let those blaster tips reach Cardello. They could raise an army big enough to take over this sector. The security forces probably only have three or four million weapons in total. With the help of a few ships from the outside, this whole sector would fall hard. I can’t see the Orwallians doing this on their own. One or more of the other families have to be behind it."

Joni fired a pair of bolts, keeping our new enemy at bay. "Well, what are we supposed to do about it?"

I looked at her and replied, "We have to take this ship. If we can’t, we have to destroy it."

"So we are declaring war on the Orwallians?"

I shook my head. "I think war was declared when this shipment left their space. Check your comm logs. I would bet they have already called for help."

Joni pulled up the recordings from recent transmissions. The
Murwall
had sent out a distress call to Orwall that would be reaching there at any moment. Some type of assistance would be coming to the aid of the
Murwall
’s crew.

I stood and pulled my helmet back over my head.

"Where are you going now?"

I pointed toward the bridge hallway. "I’m going down that hall. Wait for my signal and then come in behind me."

"Are you crazy? There are at least half a dozen crewmen out there with blasters!"

I nodded. "That there are, but how many times have they hit this ship since this all started? Two, three times tops?"

Joni pulled up a strike counter. "Yeah, but that doesn’t mean they were actually aiming at it!"

I stepped over to the ramp-way and looked back. "I’m counting on it that they were. When I reach that far corner, get your helmet on and wait for my signal. They only have one way down here from that bridge, and it’s that hall you have them trapped in. This freighter normally has a crew of six plus the captain. If you counted six, that means the captain has sent everyone down to fight. We take that hall and we take this ship."

Joni let loose a barrage of cover fire. I hopped down the ramp-way and sprinted along the near wall. When I reached the far corner, I pointed to my helmet and then back toward her. I then peeked around the corner with my blaster raised. Two crewmen were caught off guard, and my blaster aim was spot on.

I radioed Joni. "Scratch two of the crew. Get over here. Let’s take this ship while we can!"

Repeated fire emerged from the hallway, striking the floor in front of my position. Each attempt to fire around the corner was met with a flurry of fire from our new enemy.

I again called back to Joni. "I need you out here! What are you doing back there?"

"I’m clearing the way!"

The
Daunte
swung in behind me, lined up with the hallway. Four powerful bursts from the
Daunte
’s ion cannons had the remaining crewmen surrendering their weapons. I sprinted down the hall and herded the four crewmen back to our ship and up the ramp-way. After a quick internment of our prisoners in the
Daunte
’s holding cells, I was off to take control of the bridge. Joni followed close behind.

The archway doors leading onto the bridge were open. I moved slowly, checking possible ambush positions as I went.

I yelled out, "Captain! Give up now, and I can promise you safe passage!"

A voice came from the other side of the bridge. "I can’t let you take this ship. It’s too important to my people!"

I replied, "I count more than thirty million blaster tips in your hold, Captain. That’s enough firepower to take control of this whole sector! I would bet that your people already have enough blasters for your entire population. Moving weapons to another colony only has one purpose: revolution!"

As Joni stood behind me she said, "He knows what they are for."

The captain replied, "Revolution was inevitable. The Saltons are weak. It was only a question of when it would begin. We were only trying to ensure that any such revolution was not being fought on Orwall. We won’t be subjugated ever again!"

I took two giant steps and dove behind a control console. The captain fired his weapon a full second too late. Joni was ready with return fire, striking a panel beside the captain and spraying him with debris. The captain's blaster fell from his hand to the floor, disabled.

The captain quickly stood and dove against a far wall before rolling onto his back, flipping, and diving over the console I was sheltering behind. I was soon in a savage fistfight with a species that was almost a meter shorter than myself, but all muscle. The captain landed two strong punches to my jaw before I was able to take control with a return punch to his rib cage.

As the captain doubled over, favoring his right side, I raised my fist and brought it down hard on the top of his skull. The captain scowled and returned an equally hard blow. I was next kicked with a powerful leg, sending me sprawling backward. Separation was a mistake the captain should not have made. Joni was waiting, and a blaster bolt quickly tore through his chest. The remains of the
Murwall
’s captain slumped to the floor.

Joni came over quickly. "Are you OK?"

I nodded as I stood. "He was only able to strike me in the head. I am fine."

Joni half laughed. "Only in the head? Well, I’m glad it was nothing vital."

I walked to the nav console. "We have to get this ship heading back into our space."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadowy figure slip into a nearby room.

"Set a course to Adicus," I said. "I have something to take care of."

I walked toward the room the figure had slipped into with my blaster raised.

Joni set the course in the nav computer. "Where are you going?" She asked over her shoulder.

I stood by the doorway with my finger raised to my lips as Joni looked on. With a quick move, I reached around the doorway and grabbed for whoever was there. An ion bolt fired at the floor as a stunned man was pulled out into the bridge room by the head. I slapped his weapon to the floor and pulled back my fist only to stop myself before landing a devastating blow.

I released his head and lowered my fist. "Hello, Garrett."

Garrett Rourke leaned over, placing his hands on his knees as he regained his composure. "I had no idea you Gruntas were so fast."

Joni stood behind me with her blaster raised. "Who is this?"

I waved my hand for her to lower her weapon. "This is Garrett Rourke. He’s your shadow."

Garrett spoke. "I came in when she left the ship. I hope you know you two are making my life miserable. What am I supposed to put in my report for this?"

Joni said, "So, you're the stalker my father hired. I suppose I should thank you for your help back on the cesium freighter. Knog said it was you who enabled a rescue."

Garrett stood. "I have been sworn to protect you, Miss Salton. And I have to say you are making that task increasingly difficult."

Joni laughed. "A girl’s gotta live, right? Well, at least I finally get to meet the man that has been following me around for the last few years."

Joni held out her hand. Garrett looked at it, took it in his own, and raised it up for a kiss.

Joni jerked her hand back. "What are you doing? I’m not a princess!"

Garrett turned red with embarrassment. "I’m sorry, I thought that was protocol. I have seen your cousins greeted in that manner a hundred times."

Joni offered a half scowl, her face twisted in anger. "My cousins are conceited, selfish, arrogant idiots. They treat others like they are property. I treat others with dignity and respect."

"Dignity and respect?" I said. "Like what you are showing Mr. Rourke right now?"

Joni offered a frustrated frown. "Well, no. I mean…OK, I’m sorry, Mr. Rourke. All that pompous behavior just gets my blood boiling."

Garrett laughed. "It’s perfectly OK, Miss Salton. That spunk is one of the things I have admired about you for some time."

I could see a spark of interest in Joni's eyes as she contemplated whether or not the comment warranted an outburst or a smile. As Garrett Rourke reached down to retrieve his weapon, she looked him over, and turned my way in time to notice the raised muscle over my right eye. Her cheeks flushed red as she turned away.

Our capture of the freighter proved a devastating blow to the congress that was meeting on Orwall. A vote to secede was postponed, as a major ally could not be armed. As we pulled into the space around Adicus, two destroyers came out to meet us. The cargo was turned over to Salton security forces, and the
Daunte
, with Joni and me aboard, was swept back to a waiting reception on SS5.

As we walked down the ramp-way, a crowd of forty security personnel from various positions were gathered in Bay-17, with Chief Jamia standing in front.

The Chief spoke first. "Mr. Beutcher, I just wanted to offer my personal thanks as well as the thanks of everyone in the office today. You have been invited to attend a gala in your name at the Salton compound on Alpha Prime. This is big, Knog! Our funding has been increased by 5 percent for next year and possibly more for the year after. I will of course be attending with the two of you."

Joni rolled her eyes.

I replied, "That is a nice offer, Chief, but we have a lot of work to do. This whole sector is bulging at the seams and may burst open into full revolt at any moment."

The Chief stepped forward with a frozen smile and soft voice. "This isn’t an option, Mr. Beutcher. And please don’t make references to the state of the sector in front of the others. Some pieces of information have not been released to the public yet."

I shook my head. "My apologies, Chief. However, I don’t think you or anyone else here has any idea about what is going on out there."

The Chief continued her smile. "You can fill me in later. For now, I need the two of you to get cleaned up for our visit to Alpha."

After only three hours back on SS5, we were whisked through a portal to Caliphus, then on to Beta Campus and SS1, before stepping through a final portal onto Alpha Prime. I had been in orbit around the capital planet several times, but I had never been on its surface.

When we emerged from the portal station, I was in awe of the gleaming white, sleek architecture of the buildings. They were definitely designed more for form than function. Alpha Prime was a city of high minds and artistic touches. The tall white spires of the buildings reached up toward a deep blue sky. The gravity on Alpha Prime was at 96 percent of standard. I felt as though I had an extra hop to my step.

Joni pointed. "It always cracks me up how you can always tell the locals from the visitors. The locals all walk flat footed, while the visitors bob up and down."

I replied, "I guess that definitely makes me a visitor."

Joni laughed. "Your brain figures it out and adjusts after about a week. It will also make you a little uncomfortable for a day or two when you return to standard grav."

Rounded white transports soon pulled up with a Human attendant to escort us aboard.

As I sat in a plush white leather seat, the attendant presented himself. "My name is Garsee. I will be your host for the ride to Salton City. Can I offer anyone a beverage?"

I raised my hand. "Do you have anything that is frozen and fruity?"

Garsee shook his head. "I am sorry, Sir, I have a variety of liquors, beers, and other common beverages. Can I interest you in one of those?"

I replied, "No thanks. If it’s not frozen, I’m not interested."

Garsee offered a pursed smile. "My apologies, Sir. Had I known, I would have made preparations."

The attendant then turned and whispered into his arm pad.

I turned toward Joni, who was giggling. "What?"

Joni replied, "Sometimes you crack me up, that’s all."

When we arrived at the Salton compound, I was surprised by the modern green panels and reflective glass windows that made up the building exteriors. Green was the national color of the Gruntas. The buildings were interspersed between marble and stone water features, and beautifully manicured gardens flowed throughout. I almost felt at home.

We were dropped at an alcove and escorted into the building where we would be spending the day. The hallways were decorated with green-and-white marble, while the floors were highly polished wooden planks. Earth lilies and various other flora adorned baskets that hung from the ceilings.

As we walked, I spoke to Joni. "I like your family’s taste in color and design. It reminds me of some of the nicer buildings back home."

Joni replied, "That was mostly my aunt’s doing. She loves green and white, and anything that has a naturally clean look to it. I didn’t miss it when I left, but I kind of like the feeling it’s bringing back now."

We turned the corner into an open room where Joni’s cousins and her father were waiting to greet us. Joni’s father stood tall over the petite girls, whose dresses were opulent and frilly. Her father wore traditional Human business attire, a dark gray suit with a green-and-white handkerchief in the pocket.

Joni stepped up for a hug from her father as her two cousins looked at her security uniform and scowled.

Joseph Salton spoke. "I keep hearing about the things you are accomplishing out there. You are making your father and uncle proud. You are out there doing what we cannot, and we are thankful for it."

Joseph Salton turned toward me and extended his hand. "And this must be your partner. I want to personally thank you for your contributions, Mr. Beutcher. The capture of those blaster parts probably prevented a rebellion and revolution. You were invited here because I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ in person."

I replied, "You are welcome, Sir. And I would like to add that I could not have done it without your daughter. She has accomplished more in a few short months than most inspection detectives accomplish in their lifetimes. I would guess that she gets much of that from you."

Joseph Salton shook his head. "No, she would get that from her late mother. She was not one to sit around and be waited upon. She would go out and do things herself if she felt they needed doing. That’s the same spirit that this one has. And I couldn’t be prouder of her."

Joni rolled her eyes as she looked at her scowling cousins. "Knog, I would like to introduce you to my cousins, Priscilla and Sosia."

I bowed as I gently took each of their hands. "I am certain your father is proud of you as well."

The cousins’ false smiles faded as it became apparent they couldn’t decide if my comment was genuine or dubious. I looked back to a grinning Joni, knowing that I had accomplished what I intended.

The gala in our honor was full of stuffed shirts and overdressed Humans. It was a full showing of the pomp and circumstance that Joni detested. I was given a two-line speech to recite after my introduction, and was then paraded around the room for the shaking of a thousand hands. No mention of the actual incident that was cause for the gala was made before the crowd. Only passing references were made to my gloried past as a four-star inspection detective.

After the tour of dignitaries was complete, Harden Salton entered the room. After a thunderous applause, the room went quickly silent.

Harden Salton stepped to the podium. "Governors, senators, and other honored guests, we are here this evening to celebrate this Grunta man for what he has done for the New Alliance. His efforts have strengthened our position at a time of unrest in many sectors. Mr. Beutcher represents the backbone of the Alliance, and tonight we honor him with an accomplishment that has only been awarded four times, not only in the short history of the New Alliance, but also in that of the former AMP. Mr. Beutcher, may I present to you this fifth and final star!"

I was completely caught off guard. I looked over at Joni, whose eyes were wide. I stood in stunned silence for several seconds before she began to clap her hands. As the crowd joined in, I stepped up to the podium.

Harden Salton continued: "Mr. Beutcher, for your many years of outstanding service to the New Alliance, and for your recent efforts to establish a stronger relationship between our colonies and planets, I award this fifth star. I personally thank you for your service. I would also like to honor you with this Salton family pin. You will find that it opens many doors in our sectors. And if it doesn’t, just give me a call, and I will take care of it!"

Harden Salton was all smiles as the crowd erupted in laughter and applause. I had a sudden taste of what had soured Joni’s outlook on the whole ruling-family affair. Her father and uncle were politicians. They kept a close group of friends in powerful positions and rewarded them often when things went their way. I had a sickening feeling that the New Alliance was indeed doomed if the other families conducted their business in a similar manner.

As the gala began to wind down, I took note that every waiter or waitress who carried a tray of refreshments carried several frozen drinks. I grabbed a Frozen Fruiteda from the next passing waiter and downed it in two gulps. The cold sensation was refreshing and took the edge off my otherwise slightly contemptuous attitude.

After Harden Salton made his way into a back room, the remaining crowd thinned out quickly. An attendant came over to our small group.

He said, "Mr. Beutcher, Mr. Harden would like a word with you in private. Please come with me."

I followed the attendant into the same room that Harden Salton had gone into only a few minutes earlier. He was seated in a lounge chair that looked out over the outside gardens.

"Mr. Beutcher," said Harden Salton. "I can’t thank you enough for capturing that Orwallian freighter. That could easily have been the beginning of the end of the New Alliance."

I replied, "May I speak frankly, Sir?"

Harden nodded. "Of course. Say whatever is on your mind."

I cleared my throat. "I believe your empire, or whatever you would like to call it, is in real trouble. The people are unhappy; taxes and restrictions on movement are increasing every day. If you want the Salton planets and colonies to stick together, you need a unifying reason, something that makes them want to be a part of it. At the moment, they don’t see any real advantage."

Harden shook his head. "I’ve stated such to my advisers a hundred times over, but they keep going back to the same thing—we have a war to fight, Mr. Beutcher. The other families don’t see the danger in losing the Andromeda galaxy to an external force. I do. The taxes and restrictions all have purpose. We have to build an army and a navy. For centuries there has been no need for such. The setup of the security stations ensured peace and tranquility in the AMP. The AMP never had an external threat."

"Perhaps it is your approach," I said. "History shows that conscripted armies make poor armies. If a soldier’s reason for fighting is only to stay alive, he will only commit his efforts at the moment his life is threatened. A volunteer army is far more powerful and motivated to succeed."

Harden held up his right hand and waved it around. "All of this is not so simple, Mr. Beutcher. The New Alliance treaties state that no armies shall be raised. Security is to be provided through the security stations as before. The others fear that if we each raise armies, we will war amongst ourselves. I believe them to be correct on that, but how are we supposed to defend ourselves from an outside threat?"

"Aren’t you already raising an army through conscription?"

Harden nodded. "Yes, but they don’t know that. There is no evidence of an army in this sector. They are taken through to Andromeda, and after a few weeks’ training they go right into battle. It sickens me to send so many to their certain death, but we have no other way to try to slow the attackers down.

"I have two of the other families almost convinced to join the cause. I fear that they are only stringing me along, as their spies can see that we are losing control here at home. I am stuck as to what to do. Every option seems worse than what we are already doing."

I sat silent for several seconds as I thought. "I looked around in your ballroom out there this evening. What I saw told me that you only have loyal followers so long as you are keeping them in their high lifestyles. True loyalty cannot be bought, Mr. Salton. It has to be earned. There has to be a reason people support you that is beyond a simple payout. Those loyalists will always go to the highest bidder at the worst possible moment."

Harden looked at me. "Are you saying I should fire my staff and shed my ungrateful friends?"

I replied, "I’m saying a leader will naturally draw good people to his service. You should be taking the advice of those who surround you, using that to shape your decisions. However, knowing the motives behind those advisers should be taken into consideration. If those motives aren’t pure, you should seek other council."

Harden offered a half laugh. "It seems I have to go to the people for any sound advice, Mr. Beutcher. Would you consider joining my staff as a personal adviser?"

I held up my hand. "I am not well suited to politics, Mr. Salton. I think you will do well if you stick to what your gut and common sense tell you to do. The masses of the people loved the AMP. You might try returning some of your policies to those that were in place then, and at the same time shed some of those leeches that are attached to your treasury.

"When others get wealthy through government service, it is at the expense of everyone else. Your actions are what will bring back the people's respect. In your dealings with the other families, gaining their respect through the strength of your economy is what they will follow. If you are struggling, they will look to take every advantage."

Harden sat back in his chair as he looked out over the gardens. "Wise words, Mr. Beutcher. I’m glad we had this talk. I do have one question, though."

I replied, "What would that be?"

Harden continued, "You are calm and collected sitting here next to me. Are all Grunta like that?"

I shook my head. "The Grunta are much like Humans in that regard. Personalities range from those who will not listen, to those who will not act, to those who do too much and those who don’t do enough. I think those are universal traits in most sentient species.

"As for me, I came to the conclusion long ago that while your station in life might command some level of respect from others, you as an individual have to earn the rest. You and I both came into this life as equals, infants dependent on others for our survival. What we have accomplished,
and
how we treat others, determines how much respect we earn. You and I both know what is good and right. Make your decisions based on those ideals, and the masses will flock to your support."

Harden Salton laughed. "You are right, Mr. Beutcher. You don't have much of a future in politics. If my niece hadn't told me how much respect she had for you, I might have packed you off to Omega for being so blunt. You may want to be careful with how you speak to others who are in power. They don't have a soft spot for Joni."