Solbidyum Wars 3: Pirates of Goo'waddle Canals (13 page)

“Yes, and possibly transports, too.”

“That certainly will help.  How soon can you have the units produced and operating on the fleet we have here on the
NEW ORLEANS
?”

“We should have a unit working on the
ALI
by the end of the week, and maybe on thirty other ships by the end of the month.  But we don’t have enough raw materials to make many more than that.  We’ll have to pick up supplies someplace to continue production beyond the thirty units.”

“If the ships are shielded from attacks, thirty should be more than ample for our needs.  How long will it be to get a unit produced to amplify the speed for the
NEW ORLEANS
so we can travel faster?”

“I think we can have that accomplished in four days.”

“Excellent.”

Remarkably, considering all that was at stake before us, the next few days went by routinely.  Each day, Kala and I worked out with Marranalis, Sokaia and our security force for an hour; then we swam laps before meeting with Commander Stonbersa, Kerabac and Commander Wabussie for intelligence updates.  In the evenings, we dined alone in our quarters and then went the lounge for dancing and relaxing with the off-duty crewmembers.  The only thing new that seemed to be developing was a romance between Marranalis and Sokaia — something Marranalis had been dreaming of for a long time.

On our fifth day out from Nibaria, I received a request from Captain Kerabac to come to the bridge.  I arrived to find Commodore Stonbersa, Cantolla and A’Lappe gathered there.

“Tibby,” Stonbersa began, “A’Lappe has his GW amplifier hooked into the system and is ready to give it a try.  We thought you would want to be here to see how it works.”

“Certainly,” I said, as I took a seat on the bridge next to Commodore Stonbersa.  “Anytime you’re ready, let’s give it a try.”

Captain Kerabac turned to A’Lappe and said, “We’re ready.  Let’s see what you have created.”

“First we will try the system with the RMFF and the cloaking down, and then we will try it with both engaged.  I don’t think there is any difference, but I want to make sure there are not unforeseen problems or situations that occur.”

As he spoke, he activated the controls while we watched the vid monitor.  Unlike all those science fiction shows I used to watch on TV, where stars whiz by at incredible speeds as the ship moves along, relatively little is discernible, in terms of motion on the vid screen while traversing the vast distances of space.

So we didn’t really expect to see any significant change on the screen, but it was enough to visibly perceive that we were moving faster than before.  “How fast are we going, A’Lappe?” I asked.

“Faster than I expected.  I’m getting a reading of 1.75 times the standard GW speed.”

“What?! That’s faster than our Mirage Fighters can travel at the moment!”

“With this modification the
Mirage Fighters will be able to match the increased speed of the
NEW ORLEANS
. 

“Now let’s see what happens with the RMFF and cloaking engaged.”  A’Lappe made some adjustments to the controls, but nothing seemed to change.  “1.75 times faster, same as without.”

“Good.  This means we should arrive at Gaimse in about five more days instead of ten.  How many of the Mirage Fighters do you think you can equip with this new improvement?”

A’Lappe scratched his ear and said, “Five, maybe six.”

“See if you can do three Mirage Fighters and at least two patrol ships,” I said.  “Make sure one of those fighters is the
ALI
.  You and Cantolla have done a great job once again.”

“One thing more you should know, Tibby.  Once this new technique is implemented, the duration of the cloaking capability in your
Mirage Fighters and patrol ships will improve from the current one hour to four hours.  If I apply this same looping technique to the personal cloaking devices, I should be able to boost them to close to four hours, as well.”

“Now that the two of you have resolved this issue, I have a new one to add to your list.  Sooner or later, our enemies will get hold of this technology.  I need the two of you to put your heads together and figure out a way to detect a cloaked ship. There will come a day when we need a device that can spot and track them.”

“We’ll get right on it, Tibby,” Cantolla said.  “Before we go, however, A’Lappe and I have a small gift we would like to present to you and Kalana.”

She reached into a small box and brought out a device very similar to our wrist coms.  “This is a combination wrist communicator, cloaking device and laser gun,” she said.  “You wear it in the standard way, but to activate the cloaking device or use the gun, you will need both hands, as you need to press this button here to cloak or uncloak and these two on the sides must be pressed simultaneously to shoot the laser pistol.  You simply extend one arm to aim and use your other hand to fire.  There is no stun mode; and it is quite lethal up to 500 meters.  But keep in mind, if you fire the pistol, you have only two shots, and that will drain your power.  Your cloaking device will no longer function until it is recharged.”

“Wow,” Kala said.  “This is some gift.  Will you be making more of these?”

“We wanted to talk to you and Tibby first, but we thought it would be a good thing for all of your crew and employees to have.  As for outside of your circle, however, we both feel it might be better kept a secret; thieves and assassins would have a field day with such a device.”

“I can see the wisdom in that, but I think it might be a good thing to issue to the FSO agents, and perhaps to top officials in the Federation military, like Admiral Regeny and the admiralty.”

“Thank you, both of you,” Kala said.  “I’m deeply touched, and I know that Tib is, also.  Aren’t you, Tib?” She elbowed me as I was turning the device over in my hand and inspecting it, wondering if it would burn a hole in the wall if I activated the gun.

“Huh? Oh yeah, deeply touched!  Hey, thanks, both of you.  This truly is a wonderful gift, and we are deeply honored.”

I could see Wabussie from across the table eyeing the device with some envy, apparently thinking how his FSO agents might benefit from it.

“One thing you both need to know,” A’Lappe said, “is that these devices are both keyed into your personal DNA, like the door locks on the ships.  Only you can use it.  If anyone takes it from you and tries to use it, only the communicator will work.  The gun and cloaking device will not.  If they try to tamper with it, it will simply overload and melt.  So even if it gets into the wrong hands, they are not going to gain anything from it.”

I was amazed at just how much it looked like the standard wrist com.  Other than a small hole that served as the outlet for the laser beam and the added buttons on the side, it looked just like a regular communicator.  It was highly unlikely anyone would ever recognize it as a cloaking device and a weapon.

After the meeting was over, I headed to my office while Kala went off to discuss some issues with her staff.  I was sitting in my chair watching the fish when Piesew entered the room.  “Honored First Citizen Tibby, Commander Wabussie is outside and wishes to speak to you.”

“Thank you, Piesew.  Show him in, please.”

Wabussie entered and immediately seated himself in the chair in front of my desk.  Piesew went to the drink dispenser in the wall, about to retrieve two cups of foccee, I assumed, when I stopped him.  “Piesew, I think perhaps instead of foccee Commander Wabussie and I would prefer an afex.” I looked questioningly at Wabussie, and he nodded with a slight smile.

“Very well, sir.”
Piesew punched something into his vid pad.  I had no idea where the afex was stored on the ship; apparently, it was not something the replicator produced.  Moments later, there was a signal at the door and Piesew opened it to reveal an attendant carrying a tray with two frosted glasses of afex.  Per tradition, I was served first and then Wabussie.  Once we had our drinks in hand, both Piesew and the attendant departed, leaving the two of us to discuss our business.

“Tibby, I sure am glad you are changing some of the traditions in the Federation.  There are times when afex is far better for a discussion than foccee.”

“I am assuming you didn’t ask to see me for anything too demanding,” I said with a grin.

“No.  Actually, I am here to pass on some information from
the admiral.  Do you remember about a year ago you discussed idea of setting up a war college? It was determined the best way we could learn of your Earth’s battles and wars was to intercept news and vid broadcasts from your planet and century.  We set about positioning receivers at different distances from Earth to pick up broadcasts in ten-year groupings.  Well, we have begun downloading the first series of such signals, and the admiral is extremely pleased with what he is seeing so far. 

“Of course, our experts are required to filter out a lot of extraneous information, like segments that you call commercials and other vid streams designed for entertainment instead of documentation or enlightenment.  One stream series in particular that
the admiral doesn’t understand, but seems to find particularly fascinating, is about family that lives in a huge mansion, yet they dress poorly and behave in an ignorant and archaic fashion.  They have an old surface transportation vehicle instead of a more modern one like others who appear in the stories.  This series drives the admiral crazy; he keeps talking about some character on the show called ‘Granny.’ 

I had to laugh, as I had a good idea just which TV show was holding
the admiral’s attention.

“The history shows on warfare are most enlightening, however.  It seems your planet is quite young, yet Earth’s inhabitants have advanced very rapidly, technologically speaking, in a relatively short period of time.

“We’re also picking up broadcasts from ten and twenty years later on satellites that have penetrated much nearer; but these are much harder to filter, as the quantity and types of broadcasts from one decade to another seem to increase exponentially.  Though your planet is way outside the Federation territories, the admiral feels it might be worthwhile to contact your planet and about bringing them into the Federation as an island planet.  But the fact that you do not have a one-world, unified government excludes your Earth as a candidate at the moment.  He would like to talk to you more about this when the issues at hand are resolved.”

“Unfortunately, I do not see any possibility of a unified, one-world government occurring on Earth at any time in the near future,” I said.

“You know, Tibby, this mission to retrieve the Mirage Fighter and the solbidyum isn’t going to be easy.  In order to confirm that you have recovered all the disassembled parts and technological designs that they have gleaned from the ship, you’re going to have to physically go in with troops.  Cloaking will help them, naturally, but there is a huge risk of someone being killed down there.  Goo’Waddle isn’t going to be any easier.  We won’t likely be confronting adversaries in space; this is going to be a boots-on-the-ground operation.  We’ll have no choice but to go in covertly, find the solbidyum, and then take it by whatever means possible — without the RMFF and firepower of the
NEW ORLEANS
backing us.  If we can recover the solbidyum and get back to the
NEW ORLEANS
safely, there probably isn’t much harm that anyone can do to you after that.  But when on the surface, these pirate planets are going to be a problem — we will face a constant, tangible threat of one kind or another everywhere we go.”

“We’ll have to deal with the issue of the
Mirage Fighter first.  Once that’s resolved, we’ll start worrying about the solbidyum.  In the meantime, I’m hoping your agents can garner more intelligence that will make the job easier.”

“You’re right, of course, but I don’t see any other way to get the solbidyum — assuming it actually is there on one of those planets.  I’m thinking that I may need a little more help on this venture than I brought along.

Commander Wabussie paused for a moment. “You know, Tibby, if the solbidyum is outside the Federation territories, you can’t rely on any assistance from the Federation military.  The FSO can supply you with whatever intelligence we may gather; but beyond that, you’re on your own.”

“I was actually thinking of some of my own reinforcements.  I believe I can safely pull one of the corvettes stationed at Alle Bamma to protect the natives from the return of the Brotherhood.  Because we keep the ships cloaked most of the time, the Brotherhood never have any idea just how many ships we have there.  After the devastation we caused to their fleet and operations at Alle Bamma, I don’t think they are likely to attempt any kind of operation to retake the planet.  I also think that Captain Felenna might be of more than just a little assistance to us.  As a former member of the Brotherhood, she may have some information about their goings-on outside of the Federation territories.  Once we finish our discussion here, I’ll get in touch with her and have Captain K
erabac arrange an appropriate rendezvous point.  This will also give A’Lappe an opportunity to upgrade her cloaking device and RMFF capabilities and propulsion systems — the same holds true for any fighters she may carry.  I’ll have to make sure she stocks enough manufacturing materials.”

“Do you think there is any possibility that word of her defection might not have reached the Brotherhood at Goo’Waddle?  If not, it’s possible she could do some spying for us.”

“I hate to put her into that kind of danger.  If we need her to do so, it will have to be entirely of her own consent.  It’s been nearly a year since the events at Alle Bamma, and it’s most likely that some word of her desertion of the Brotherhood would have reached there by now.  But her defection was not widely known, so it’s difficult to say.  The one and only time I used her to trick the Brotherhood, she ended up getting shot and nearly killed.  I don’t want a repeat of that.”

My meeting with Commander Wabussie gave me a lot to think about.  I was beginning to feel like I did when we took on the Brotherhood in our efforts to recover the
DUSTEN
.  Over six thousand people died in that encounter and I still felt responsible for every one of those deaths.  Felenna had been duped when she joined the Brotherhood; once inside the organization and isolated from the Federation, she discovered their true nature and intents.  But by then she was trapped until we arrived at Alle Bamma.  Her defection and assistance had made it possible for us to capture a number of Brotherhood criminals, as well as many of their ships.

I carefully wrote out a message and then took it to the bridge for Verona, who was on duty as the DSC officer at the time, to broadcast to Captain Felenna’s receiving communications officer.

“Verona, I need you to get this message to Captain Felenna aboard the
MIZBAGONA
at Alle Bamma.  Once you have received a reply, see to it that I am informed.”

“Yes, Tibby…
ahh, I mean, sir!”

I chuckled. “Tibby is fine, Verona.  I really prefer to be called Tibby.”

“Tibby, it’s good to see you up here on the bridge when we’re not managing an emergency,” I heard Captain Kerabac say.  “I’ve been thinking of ways that I might be able to help you; it occurred to me that there are many of my race living on Ryken, Yentum and Goo’Waddle.  After my world joined the Federation, a number of my people were not willing to give up the practice of slavery and a number of other prejudicial cultural behaviors that had dominated our way of life for centuries.  They left to take up residence in worlds outside the Federation — Ryken, Yentum and Goo’Waddle were among the worlds preferred by them, as they afforded the opportunity to continue the old ways. 

“Yentum is a manufacturing world where they use slave labor.
Ryken is a mining and agricultural planet also driven by slave labor.  Goo’Waddle is both an agricultural planet as well as a trade hub for that sector of the galaxy.  It is also a haven for organizations engaged in pirating and smuggling — activities that many of those who rejected Federation membership can enjoy freely in this sector.  Disguised as a trader, I would be able to move about freely between these planets and potentially glean valuable information without triggering much suspicion.”

“I like that idea.  It makes sense and it’s certainly less dangerous than sending Felenna in to obtain information from any Brotherhood members residing there.”

“Captain Felenna? You’re thinking of bringing her into this operation?”

“I just sent a message directing her to join up with us after we finish our business at Gaimse.  I’m hoping she’ll be able to bring the
MIZBAGONA
as a support ship.  If so, A’Lappe should also have enough time to update their RMFF and cloaking device and make the gravity wave system adjustments necessary for them to travel at the greater speed.”

“Tibby, sir,” Verona interjected, “I have a response back from the
MIZBAGONA
.  Captain Felenna has responded that the message is understood and that she will be underway within the hour.”

“Thank you, Verona.  Kerabac, I think we will soon be very busy… once again.”

Kerabac laughed.  “Tibby, around you there is no such thing as not busy.”

“By the way, where is
the commodore?”

“He said he was going to go work out in the gym and then head to the shooting range.  He let it be known that, if there is occasion for you to take us into battle again, he is going to make sure he’s prepared on all levels.”

“How long has he been doing this?” I asked.

“He started right after we took off from Megelleon; he’s been training several hours a day.”

“Well, I’ll be… I think I will sneak down there and see how the old fellow is doing.”

“I wouldn’t go calling him old, even if you are his boss,” Kerabac said.  “I observed him yesterday for a few minutes; I was surprised at how good he is.  Obviously he’s not you or Marranalis, but he could easily take on an untrained trooper in martial arts – or maybe even a novice trooper – and succeed.”

When I arrived at the gym, I was amazed to see the commodore sparring with one of my security team.  Stonbersa was not dominating or winning the match by any means; but it was obvious he had the basic moves down and was showing speed and skill that belied his age.  Marranalis saw me enter the gym and came over to my side.

“What do you think of our latest recruit?” he asked with a grin.

“He’s a lot better than I would have believed.  How does he do on the target range?”

“With guns or knives?”

“You mean he uses both?”

“Damn right he does, and he’s a natural with both.  I’d be willing to bet he could stick a knife into a
boloan fruit in your hand from 10 meters and you wouldn’t get a scratch.”

“That good?
And with a gun?”

“Best marksman on board, except possibly for you and Kalana.”

I looked at Marranalis questioningly, expecting him to say he was pulling my leg, but he didn’t flinch.  “Sounds like I underestimated the good commodore,” I said.

“I think we all did.”

“Hey, how are things going with you and Lieutenant Commander Sokaia? I’ve noted the two of you have been rather friendly of late.”

“That obvious?  Yeah, we’re finally hitting it off.  In a way, I am glad for your association with
the admiralty, as it keeps tossing us together.”

“You know, these situations are hardly ideal for a romance,” I said.

“Are you kidding? They’re perfect.  Sokaia is turned on by the action and the threat of danger.  The closer we get to battle, the more sexually aggressive she gets.”

I had to laugh, because I could see by the look on his face that he was totally serious.

Our arrival at Gaimse came much sooner than I expected; before I knew what was happening, we were in orbit over the shipyard — cloaked, of course.  We scanned the area as best we could from our altitude and, using the description Orcpipin had provided us, we located the building where he saw the Mirage Fighter.  Even from our altitude, our observation equipment revealed enough to make it obvious that this building was heavily guarded by troops.  There were even four Markazian fighters circling around the yard on constant patrol.

“So, Tibby,” Marranalis began, as we met in the conference room to prepare our battle strategy, “what are your plans?”

“Well, beyond the obvious fact that they have the place well-guarded, we need to know how far they’ve progressed in dismantling the ship and reverse-engineering its systems before we take any kind of action.  Indications are that they have shifts working around the clock, so it’s not as if the place is ever empty.  But I suspect they have less of a crew on duty at night compared to the daytime.  I think we need to take a patrol ship to the surface with some of our men and conduct a cloaked recon operation tonight.  No more than twelve of our people, I would think.  I want every one of our troopers fitted with vid cameras, so we can review what each one of them encounters during their movements.  We’ll analyze the data tomorrow and determine what areas we need to target.  The following morning, we go in about two hours before daybreak and,” I hesitated, “do what we need to do.”

“Tibby, I’d like permission to join you on this operation.” Lieutenant Commander Sokaia spoke up.

“Absolutely not,” I said. 

Both Sokaia and Wabussie were present for the planning session – not just to observe and learn, but also to contribute any ideas or suggestions they might have.

“We can’t take the risk of your participation being discovered in any way.  If it were discovered that a Federation officer was involved in the operation, it could create an incident that might unite some of the non-aligned worlds against the Federation or, even worse, provoke them to side solidly with the Brotherhood.  The risk is too high.  I won’t even be taking Marranalis with me on this mission, as he still technically holds a rank in the Federation military.”

“You’re going to lead the mission yourself?” Wabussie asked incredulously.

“I am.  Technically, it’s my ship, and my efforts to reclaim it will receive less criticism then if someone else does it.  We know this planet has a substantial military and, depending on what we do down there, I think we can anticipate a rather hefty and swift reaction.  We’re going to need to move the
NEW ORLEANS
out of range so we can launch a patrol ship without being detected and return to the planet cloaked.  After we take whatever action we decide is necessary, I want the
NEW ORLEANS
to be positioned in a close orbit.  We’re going to make a run for it; and just as we arrive, Stonbersa is going to have to drop the RMFF long enough for us to dock.  Once we’re in, the RMFF and the cloak go back up and we high-tail it out of here — hopefully, without a fight.”

Late that night, my team assembled in the hangar bay.  Since Marranalis would not be going, his second in command, a man named Plarem, would be deployed on the team as my second.  The rest of the team consisted of men that Marranalis hand-picked for their particular skills and knowledge.  The team also received a very specific indoctrination from A’Lappe that would enable them to determine how much
Mirage Fighter technology had been uncovered.