Birthright: Battle for the Confederation- Crusade Read online

  At that, Loren’s eyebrow quirked, which Garrett noticed. “It’s hard, but I do in fact try to make sure I know everything.” A quick smile. “So, we need to figure out what you want and what Confed is willing to pay for it.”

  Loren leaned forward, lowering his voice even while realizing he was being a bit theatrical. “We need to find a Priman data and research facility. It’s going to be hidden was well as they can manage. Based on what we find, if we can decode it, we might also be looking for an actual specific Priman to, um, borrow. We have plenty of credits, but I also have some information on Primans you might not be aware of yet.”

  “Interesting,” Garrett replied. “What sort of info?” He took a long sip of his drink and savored it.

  “Specs on several of their new ship types, including the Reaper and a newly identified ship used by a division called The Keepers. The Keepers’ purpose is to roam captured territory, cataloging and gathering information to be taken back to Priman space. This Priman facility we’re looking for is where The Keepers would be traveling to and from. It’s all on the chip.” Loren indicated a datachip under his palm on the tabletop.

  “And I suppose that, in addition to helping pay for the info you need, it wouldn’t hurt if I sell that again and again to others who just might find a way through their technology?” Garrett smiled knowingly.

  “What you do with it is beyond my control, of course,” said Loren without expression.

  Garrett gathered his thoughts and seemed to be organizing his ideas, then he took a deep breath and continued. “Alright, I think I have what you’re looking for. There are a few facilities that might fit the bill, and all of them are deep in what’s now Priman territory. Two of them in particular don’t actually show up on any scans or charts, which means they’re actively camouflaging them not just from military sensors, but commercial traffic as well. There is a steady but low volume of ships that heads in and out of those two stations. Both are actually built on the surface of moons, not planets, so they’re even farther from the public eye. If you’re looking for secret facilities that are getting any amount of physical traffic, it’s one of them. I happen to have the coordinates of those and a few other items I thought you might ask for on my own data chip. I have some friends who’ve been keeping an eye on those stations.” Garrett indicated the chip he’d placed in the convex area of the underside of his drink glass. “Frankly, I thought you’d want more. I wouldn’t think tracking down one little station was number one priority in the war effort, what with rampaging Priman fleets tearing up space and all.”

  Loren knew Garrett didn’t have as many of the facts concerning the DNA weapon as Confed did, but he still couldn’t help but feel a little put off by the man’s tone. “What Confed wants is to keep as many of its’ citizens as possible alive. That includes those affected by a certain DNA weapon that our mutual friend Halley spent some time on Callidor looking for, if you remember.”

  “So, this is about the virus?” Garrett asked, and Loren did notice his demeanor change.

  “Yes, that’s my primary concern,” Loren replied more forcefully than he’d meant to. “I have, and will continue to do, whatever it takes to help the people of Toral.”

  Garrett caught his tone, and wondered what Loren had done. While he didn’t think the man had the ability to flip a switch on the killer instinct the way Halley and others did, he wouldn’t want to cross him, either. “All I can add is that I’ll be around. If you need me, send me a comm and I’ll do what I can. Regardless of where we come out on the war in general, biological warfare and genocide are not going to win any hearts to the Priman cause, including mine.”

  An hour later, Loren and Web were in Pair of Aces, systems warmed up and waiting for the call from the departure controller to head out.

  Web, back in the left seat where he proclaimed he belonged, was surprisingly at a loss for words. He just stared out the front windshield, as if working on boring a hole through the hangar blast door with his eyes alone.

  “Something on your mind, Web? “Loren asked.

  “I guess I never truly let it sink in that the Primans were talking genocide. I mean, I knew they wanted us all to follow under their rule, and that they were ready to use force to make it happen, but outright slaughter of civilian populations, that just doesn’t seem to square up. I mean, the initial intel showed that they went to great pains to try and show us how we were related, how we should get along. We saw just now that one of their first standing policies was to leave merchant and commercial shipping alone to prove that they weren’t after the common person, but the governments. Now, it just seems like recently there’s been a shift in their policy. DNA weapons, relocating or just wiping out Enkarrans to take their planets, hell, even their new policy in the Talaran Collection is more aggressive and destructive. I just wonder if somebody didn’t get fired and replaced by somebody more bloodthirsty.”

  Loren took it all in, digesting it and trying to reconcile Web’s thoughts with what he had been briefed on by the intel spooks on Avenger. He had a point, and Loren was going to need to introduce them to Web’s theory when they got back.

  Soon enough, Pair of Aces arrived at the forward staging area above the Waterpark. They docked with Gallant and took a Freedom class transport back to Avenger, where Loren disappeared to the intel spaces, leaving Web to answer details about the flight and their ship’s performance to Merritt and Cory. He also gave them a datapad containing the specs and parts list for the modifications he and Loren had decided that the couple would need to make to their ship to bring its’ performance up to their standards.

  That done, Web went off to complete his own post-flight ritual: eating. As usual, he went to the Aft Quarter, the two story space that took up the rear of the main ‘gun deck’ just below the bridge. It was a leftover space in the Crusader class design, not really useful for anything mission-critical, so some designer with a sense of flair had fashioned the space into an all-hours mess hall. The two story windows made the location a favorite among the crew, and Web was no exception.

  He picked up a hot meal and staked out a spot near the second floor balcony near an exit hatch. Ever the paranoid, even aboard ship he made it a point to keep close to exits. He had just started digging into his meal when he heard a conversation behind him. It was a voice he didn’t really recognize, though he was sure he’d heard this crewmember before, and it was asking another crewmember about him. Unable to stop hearing the voices so close to him, he took it in.

  “Yes,” the voice began. “His name is Commander, Second Rank, Web Exeter. I’ve been told he comes here often and completely soils this place with his presence. You must know him; he’s a foul, rude, alcohol-soaked degenerate who can’t keep his hands off other people’s nether regions. Also, he likes to have sex with animals. He’s a real bastard.”

  Web was listening with increasing interest. He was actually torn; he wasn’t sure if he was offended or impressed with this person’s description of his villainy. Still, it was probably best if he stood up for himself, so he set down his utensils, dabbed his napkin to the corners of his mouth, and got up, turning as he did so.

  He was greeted by the beaming smile of Lieutenant Halley Pascal, staring right at him. There was an alarmed junior crewwoman next to Halley who looked like she was ready to dig a hole in the deckplates and hide.

  “That, ma’am,” began Web, trying to keep a straight face in order to mess with the hapless crewwoman more, “is a very accurate description, something only a friend would know. I must ask how you know these things. Have I borrowed money from you?”

  Halley, catching on to Web’s evil plan, played along as best she could. “Yes, and my boss says it’s time to collect, with interest.”

  “Ooh, sounds fun,” said Web, unable to contain himself any longer. He took a few quick strides over to Halley and blurted, “I hope you don’t mind if I skip the salute,” then wrapped her up in a great hug, lifting her off her feet. The crewwoman Halley h
ad been talking to sighed with relief and took off before anyone could drag her back into the situation. “Did you spend the whole time away thinking up insults for when we met again? Because I don’t have anything ready for you. Give me a few minutes and I can probably scratch something together, though.”

  “Good to see you, too,” Halley said as she kissed his cheek before they separated.

  “Now, how the hell did you get aboard? I’ve been watching the couriers closely-”

  “You have, eh?” Halley countered. “You’re supposed to be playing cool and hard to get, aren’t you?”

  “Nope, I’m shameless. Anyway, there haven’t been any couriers today, none in fact scheduled until tomorrow. I have a program set to flag your name when it shows up on a manifest, too.”

  “Remember when I said I was a SAR operative and we could do impressive things?”

  “Yeah, like disguise your voice?” Web said curiously.

  “And so much more. You know by now I’m not just a regular SAR type. I can also hitch rides aboard Confed ships covertly. I thought I’d surprise you. Besides, I told Captain Elco I wouldn’t be here until almost the end of the day.”

  “Care to join me for some fine shipboard cuisine, then?” Web asked, realizing they could actually have some time to themselves for a bit. “We just got a big shipment of fresh seafood from Carlor, and it’s better than anything we’ve had in weeks.”

  “Sounds wonderful,” she replied with a smile.

  “I definitely know how to show a girl a good time,” he added, offering her his elbow. She put her arm through his, and they headed back down a deck to the chow line to get her a tray.

  Loren had a message asking him to stop by Captain Elco’s cabin upon his return. It wasn’t too late in ship’s evening, so he grabbed a protein bar from his quarters and headed over to his captain’s cabin.

  “Enter,” came the voice over the intercom when Loren pressed the ‘call’ button. He walked into the captain’s cabin and stood in the gathering space which served as the captain’s working area, with quarters through a hatch off to one side. Being the Captain, he rated several windows, and Loren took in the view as Elco stepped through the hatch from his personal quarters.

  “Evening, Loren,” Elco said easily as he sat down in a comfortable chair, part of a set of four around a low coffee table. He had brought in two drinks, one of which he set across the table from himself and beckoned Loren towards.

  “I’ll admit, I was hoping for a quick brief of anything really newsworthy before you filed your official report,” Elco started as Loren took a seat.

  “Short version,” Loren began, “is yes, we have some good intel to go on. Garrett had some fairly detailed information about shipping movements in Priman space, and I dropped it all off to the Intel people on my way here. In any case, he feels confident he’s identified a few good candidates.” He took a sip of the drink Elco had brought and realized the captain apparently preferred strong stuff. While it tasted good and went down smoothly enough, the warm finish worked its’ way back up his throat until he could feel it in his ears. “Web also thinks there might be a change in management at high levels with the Primans. Said their new, more aggressive policies don’t seem to fit with their original operational patterns.”

  “Very insightful, that young man,” Elco nodded approvingly. “I received a fleet update just this afternoon stating something similar.” He set his drink down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I received a communication from Captain Krent of the Union while you were gone, plus we had an all-captains briefing a few hours ago.” He waited to see Loren’s reaction, but his XO’s face was stone.

  “The message was short, basically a personal request for a truce, understanding, something to that effect. It was worded quite well, actually. At our briefing, I learned that Union will be operating with our fleet element, which will be built around Avenger, the carrier Gallant, the assault ship Torino, and the battleship Majestic.”

  “What was your impression, Captain?”

  “I think all of us who had a history are in an uncomfortable spot, but I felt like he was ready to move on. I guess we’ll see how we all get along. To that end, though, I just wanted to warn you that you might be seeing their faces on your displays if we encounter any action.”

  “Looking forward to it,” said Loren without much enthusiasm.

  Senator Zek Dennix stood calmly before the small press attendees and continued his speech. The evening press conference was timed to be rebroadcast as part of the end-of-day news shows on Delos and elsewhere, and he had a carefully crafted message to send. He also knew that, since Enric Shae had personally selected the people who were offered press passes, no awkward questions would be asked.

  “And now I must address the issue that many of you have asked today; namely, the liberation of Carlor by our valiant Confederation Navy and Marines. Carlor was, in fact, a Talaran planet before the Primans took it some months ago. Part of the reason we were able to take it from the Primans was because they didn’t expect us to go after Talaran territory.” Dennix paused, trying to show great determination and resolve for the cameras. “However, we have determined that, at the present time, it is in the Confederation’s best interests to keep Carlor under our protection.”

  He pressed on quickly to minimize the chance of an outburst. “We have done this for several reasons. First, Carlor is the closest planetary system to Confederation space, and as such it helps build our defense against further Priman attack by providing a fortress system in their way. Second, we don’t know how we’d turn it back over to the Talarans, since their government was effectively wiped out by the economic sabotage waged on their home world. I realize this is unusual, but times are difficult, and I hope that you, the citizens of the Confederation of Systems, will understand these temporary measures. I also hope that we can meet with any members of the Talaran Collection government as soon as possible so that we may keep our lines of communication open.”

  He smiled and nodded, then turned and left as soon as he had finished speaking. The reporters had been told there would be no question and answer period, but he didn’t want to be roped into answering any questions, either.

  Enric Shae met him just outside the press room, on the secure side of the hallway.

  “Very passionate, Senator,” Shae commented as they began walking, trailing a wake of assistants and advisors. The Senator was putting on a great seminar on managing the public as he worked to expand the Confederation’s borders and cement both of their names among the great leaders of the last few centuries. Never mind that he’d never have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for the Primans.

  “Yes, well let’s hope the population believes it. The Talarans can’t contest our capture of Carlor, and this is the perfect time to expand our borders a bit. I believe you mentioned another Priman occupied world that would be suitable for ‘liberation’ by our forces?”

  “Yes, I did. It’s the planet Anderson, named after the founding party of settlers a few hundred years ago. Modern technology, good resources, and resolutely independent, before the war, of course. It might be best if we administer that planet as well after we take it from the Primans.”

  The Priman responsible for taking Anderson in the first place stalked the corridors of his research facility, restless and impatient with the delays he was taking.

  Representative Velk had been assured that all of his systems would be online days ago, and yet even now he was still only half operational. Major systems like the defensive mines and long range hyperspace sensors were still under construction.

  He assumed that, overt or not, Commander Tash was less than motivated to do anything to make Velk look good. This only motivated him more, and he had been relentless in getting his facility operation to the best of his ability, which included using private contractors for procurement and construction of some of his systems and equipment. That work was all done on the planet and shipped in secret by Pr
iman vessels out to the far side of the moon where his base orbited, but he hated having to rely on the humans of that conquered planet. They had been treated well by his forces upon the planet’s capture, and they had even gone so far as to bid out the jobs he needed done, competing with one another for his credits and access to materials. It showed him a glimmer of the resourcefulness that these people could exhibit, and he wondered again if there was something else he could have tried. No matter now, though, all he cared about was getting his station working properly so he could continue to process his daily data drops from Keeper courier ships as they stopped in or flew by.

  Velk would have been disappointed, indeed, if he’d realized that the humans who had done the work had motives other than pure profit in mind. Realizing that they had a unique opportunity to both help the war effort and get paid, Garrett had learned that the builders of the systems for the Primans had information they wanted to sell. He’d come away with basic specs of the systems they themselves had built, as well as the fact that their components had gone to a hush-hush Priman facility on the far side of the moon above their planet. They didn’t know what he’d think of it, but Garrett had offered a handsome price for the full package. It was this information he had shared with Loren and the Confederation, and if Tash hadn’t been so hell-bent on making Velk look bad, he wouldn’t have had to outsource the work to the humans on Anderson, and the base would most likely have flown completely under the radar.

  It was late, just after midnight ship’s time, and all the key players were assembled in Avenger’s C3. Loren had just finished briefing Halley on the take from Garrett and the latest intel updates from Confed.

  “So,” she began, “let’s recap. We know the DNA virus was modeled after one particular Priman. We know that to build an antidote, we need either a live, non-deployed sample or the Priman whose DNA was used as the baseline. Based on what you’ve dug up and the information Garrett gave you, you need to track down two clandestine Priman facilities deep in their own space. Do you have exact locations for either?”