AMP Private War (15 page)

I pulled back my hand with a frown. "Always gotta spoil the fun don’t you!"

Four more of the Milgari battleships then rounded the planet and began to fire. The Swift rumbled as each bolt of energy was absorbed. Frig then opened up with our cannon.

I spoke, "Just take out their engines and let that planet do the rest. Those cannons are no longer a threat!"

The ion engines of all four battleships were taken offline with precision shots from our single cannon. The four ships then began their slow de-orbits towards a corrosive death that would be hard to imagine. We were then joined by the Colonel and the other ships.

The Colonel spoke, "Grange! You never cease to amaze me! A Durian ship just turned tail and ran from you. You are… well… I just don’t have words for it right now."

I pressed the comm button. "Colonel, I can explain later, right now we need you to pull us into your hold and move us over to the rest of that fleet. We can’t move ourselves without risking damage."

The Sleuth pulled alongside and its bay doors opened. The Swift was pulled inside and the doors closed. The process was then repeated in reverse as the other ships began to engage the small Milgari fleet. The Sleuth froze the first cruiser in place and then began to obliterate it with its twin cannons.

The Slayer and the other Defenders moved into battle with the Milgari as the Slaughter headed for the freighter and the bounty that it carried. We sat in the middle, begging for any ship to come our way. Two cruisers were quickly annihilated by our cannon as their own blasts went off without damage.

I spoke, "Frig. Can we safely maneuver over to that freighter? I don’t think we are going to get any of those other ships coming our way now that they have witnessed what we can do."

Frig punched commands into his console. I have limited the throttle to 1%. It will take approximately 22 minutes to reach the freighter Sir, if we leave now."

I pushed the throttle and we slowly made our way to the freighter. The remaining Milgari ships were putting up a fierce battle. They had moved into an asteroid field that made direct shots difficult, but they were fighting a war they could not win.

We pulled up to a docking bay on the freighter as I clicked my helmet into place and secured my blaster in my belt. I then picked up my AK-47 and a backpack full of clips.

I turned to Frig before opening the hold door. "Keep the engines running as I probably won’t be long. I’d bet the Colonel’s men have already taken the Bridge."

I then hopped out of the hold doorway and scrambled across the bay deck.

Frig closed the door behind me before coming on the comm. "Sir, if you have not noticed, the power is still on. The Ghouls have not used a negative ion bomb Sir. Blasters are armed."

An instant before I could reply a bolt flew just over my head. I sprinted towards a stack of crates as more bolts came my way. Once behind cover I turned to see where they originated from. There were two Milgari crewmen standing behind a row of barrels. I loosed several rounds from the AK before pulling out my blaster.

AK-ak-ak-ak!

The empty barrels rattled as the .762mm rounds from the AK penetrated and exited through the back. The crewmen scrambled for new, more substantial cover.

A bolt struck the crate in front of me sending splinters of wood in every direction. The concussion of the exploding bolt knocked me backwards onto the floor. The next bolt obliterated the crate behind which I had been hiding. I rolled to the left and pulled a grenade from the backpack that I carried.

The pin was pulled and the grenade tossed in the Milgari’s direction. Four seconds later the blast could be heard and felt.

Booom!

The Milgari blasters went silent. When I sat up to look over the crate in front of me I was given a scene where the two crewmen were writhing about on the floor. One had lost a leg and the other was bleeding heavily from his torso. I sprinted across the deck and ended the affair.

Ak-ak-ak-ak! Ak-ak-ak!

My immediate battle was over. Frig came on the comm. "Sir, I detect one more crewman on the deck, he is in the corner over to your left and is armed with a steel pipe. I pulled another grenade from my pack and tossed it towards the hiding Milgari crewman. As the grenade left my hand he charged out from behind the stockpile of material he had been using as cover. The grenade detonated in the corner without causing injury.

As the crewman raced towards me with the pipe lifted over his head, I pulled my blaster from my belt. I squeezed the trigger and a bolt of ions entered his chest and exploded. The dead Milgari fell to the floor with a thud.

Seconds later an ion bomb detonated and the lights in the bay went out. I was now reliant on the night vision built into my helmet. I spoke, "Frig. I’m heading through those doors over there to my right. If the layout of this freighter is like the last I should see engineering and maintenance through those doors. Any crew that is not on the Bridge would normally be in there."

I slowly pushed open the double doors and looked up and down the empty hall beyond. The signs on the wall translated into engineering on the left followed by maintenance. My hunch had been right. I proceeded down the hallway with my AK-47 at the ready. I stopped at the first door. It was engineering. A tink-tink sound could be heard coming from within. I slowly pushed open the door and was met halfway by a mad rushing Milgari crewman. He hit the door hard, sending me violently backwards into the far hallway wall. My helmet hit the wall with a clang, snapping my neck forward.

In an instant the raging Milgari was on top of me. Its small mouth and sharp teeth were gnashing at my face shield as it attempted to rip the eyes from my head. I reached for my knife and with a single move swung it around toward its temple. My swing was stopped by an outstretched arm and the knife knocked to the floor.

I struggled with the weight as the Milgari flailed its arms, thrashing at my torso. When my outstretched hand once again discovered the knife I picked it up and plunged it into the Milgari’s side. It howled in pain and then continued with its beating. My grip on the knife was lost as the crewman thrust the claw on its right wrist into my left shoulder, repeatedly stabbing deep into my flesh.

As I winced in pain the crewman pulled my knife from its side and raised it over its head. I was an instant away from having the steel of my own blade rammed through my chest! A single shot then rang out!

Ak!

It was Frig, he had come from the Swift to offer support.

"Sir, are you OK Sir? I think we need to get you back to a medic. Your shoulder looks in bad shape and those Milgari claws carry bacteria that can be toxic to Humans."

With a single grunt Frig hoisted me onto his shoulder and began to move back towards the Swift. Seconds before I lost consciousness I again heard the sound of the AK.

Ak-ak-ak-ak-ak!

When I awakened I was in the hospital bay on the Sleuth. Our raid had been successful and we were headed home with another freighter full of ore. The Colonel was sitting in a chair beside me reading over reports. "Grange! Glad to see you are still with us! Doc here says you were touch and go from those wounds. Looks like you are going to be laid up right here for the ride home."

I’ll give you chance to heal up a bit before I give you a beating of my own. You can’t keep taking these chances Grange. You are too valuable to the cause. Anyway, you rest up here for a bit, Nurse Martha will take good care of you, she might even give you a sponge bath. Hahahaha!"

The Colonel winked and spit a chew of Omega root on the sheet on the end of the bed. The nurse scowled as he started to leave the room. I managed a few words of my own. "Colonel! No risk no reward…" I slipped back into unconsciousness.

My recovery was coming along slowly. The bacterium from the Milgari attack had made its way into my liver and was causing havoc with its normal function. I had been in and out of our hospital on the Suppressor a number of times as I waited for an anti-biotic to be shipped from the Grid. I was now hoping that my eagerness to be involved had not cost me a vital organ. Transplants were common, but they remained a major undertaking that was fraught with risk.

Frig entered the hospital room with a report. "Sir, it seems the Hunter has been quite active and highly successful. We just received a report over the comm. It originated three weeks ago. They are deep within the Milgari supply lines."

"They say we should have five small freighters and material haulers that they have captured heading to the assigned coordinates. The ships should be there waiting by the time we arrive. The Colonel took the liberty to send the Slaughter out with a crew to evaluate them and bring back what is of value."

"They have also been able to interrogate a number of private citizens and others who deal with the Milgari. It seems our raids on the Tantric ore have caused a significant setback to their plans. Their normal modus operandi is to build up a fleet and attack, then repeat the process as necessary. Without Tantric, their ships are not being built."

Frig continued, "They also picked up that the Prassi war had taken a significant toll on the Milgari fleets. It is possible that we have pushed their plans back by as much as a year or more. If we begin to disrupt their trade and supply routes, those plans may get pushed back even farther."

"We sent a response to our boys regarding the Durians that we have seen interacting with the Milgari. They were warned to not engage as they would be well outgunned."

I sat up in my bed, my energy levels were low. "Any casualties? Anyone injured?"

Frig responded, "Their data report did not mention any. I would surmise that it means that they did not have any of significance. I believe our heavy regimen of training and their prior experience is likely paying dividends."

The first of the Raider ships had been an early success. The newest Raider, the Helix, was preparing for its initial trials. The word from the construction docks was that they would be producing a new Raider at a pace of one per month for the remainder of the year. I wondered how much we could grow our organization with the booty we were capturing from the Milgari.

The second massive ore freighter we had captured now sat parked beside the Suppressor. Its nearly full load of Tantric was being refined for sale into our markets. Our credit store continued to expand faster than we could spend it. George was having thoughts of purchasing an automated construction dock. If we wanted to turn out a large number of ships, an automated dock was a necessary asset.

As I continued my convalescence I began once again thinking about Ashley Elizabeth. There was too much at stake for me to risk allowing her into my world. I still knew little about her. It then dawned on me that I had a resource on the Grid at my disposal that had already proven her ability to dig up information. I sent out a crewman in George’s flyer with a note to Doris Jenkins. She was to find out whatever she could about Ashley Elizabeth without exposing herself or the company.

With my note away I paid a visit to George. I inquired about altering my vocal cords to change my voice and if there were any way to change my biometrics such as finger-prints, retinal images or DNA. The vocal chords were a cinch and the procedure was scheduled. The other identifiable metrics were either extremely difficult to change or altogether impossible. Don Grange would always be Don Grange.

During the next several months I regained my strength through the use of antibiotics. Our docks had turned out two more Raiders which had been outfitted with crews and launched on their year-long journeys into the Milgari supply routes. The Raiders would now fly in groups of two so that assistance could be given if needed or destruction of a ship could be performed if it was disabled beyond repair. The captured freighters and other supply ships were stacking up at our designated drop site which we had named the Delta site.

Several hundred laborers had been hired and given the task of identifying all marketable goods that had been acquired. George had hired a crew of 27 sales executives to move the goods throughout our sector of the galaxy. A wholesale warehouse had been opened on the Grid to assist in the moving of product.

Since all the goods had come from the Milgari territories there were no claims of stolen merchandise. If complaints arose due to competition we merely raised our prices so that the legitimate businesses remained profitable, a tactic which only added to our wealth.

The rocky world of Jarhead that we had claimed as our home had a breathable atmosphere and a temperate climate, but it lacked water and as such had remained a barren planet. With our vast and growing resources we had begun an effort to terraform Jarhead. A number of the captured freighters had been put into service with crews whose sole purpose was to acquire and deliver space ice.

The ice, delivered in the shape of enormous blocks, was pulverized and then pushed into a decaying orbit. Frig performed an analysis and stated that clouds of water vapor should begin to form in less than a year and that rainfall would begin shortly thereafter. His estimates placed Jarhead at being ten years away from being a habitable planet. The undertaking was expensive, but we had credits to burn.

Bucci was hard at work with Gy and Rita trying to unlock the secret of the Aquamarine skin on the Swift. We had taken a direct hit from a Durian cannon without receiving so much as a scratch. There was something about bonding the Aquamarine with Tantric and then dissolving the Tantric that left a layer of material capable of dissipating a tremendous ion charge. Their goal was to attempt to make it durable.

With free time on my hands I had tasked Frig with providing data on our burgeoning organization. It had grown to more than 5,000 members who were eager to claim citizenship in the Defiant Nation. After spending the afternoon perusing the data I came to the conclusion that we were in need of a government. It was a task that was beyond my ability.

A trip to the Grid was planned where a team of historians, engineers and everyday citizens were contracted to do a study. They were given the task of designing the perfect government by taking examples of existing governments and analyzing what about them worked and what did not. More than a hundred personnel were involved with a six month timeframe for completion.

I was certain the arguments between the groups would at times be heated, but the resulting compromises would hopefully yield a form of government that was adaptive, responsive and only interfered with the lives of its citizens for a common defense or when differences of opinion required a judgment to be rendered by an authority. Government was a tricky game that was often easy to manipulate if the wrong parties were able to take control. The proper checks and balances would be required.

In the months following our encounter with the Durian we had not been witness to another sighting. But reports were beginning to come in from our Raider teams that supply ships were being found abandoned, empty of all personnel and materials. It was reasoned that either pirates were active in those areas or some other entity was copying our game. I planned a special trip out to inspect the findings.

The Swift’s armor was restored to its prior construction and then two new Tantric Aquamarine layers were added. In addition the inhibitor field generator was modified with the same conical field enhancement as on the Sleuth and the Raiders. We could now capture and hold a single ship for an extended period of time.

Frig and I paired up with Davis and Wright on the Hammer and set out for the Gonquin sector where the Raiders had been having their success. It was a two month journey, deep into Milgari territory. Our progress was slowed slightly by adopting a zig-zag pattern as we went so that if spotted along the way our origin and destination would remain unknown.

When we arrived in the Gonquin sector the Hunter and the Helix were waiting with a fresh capture. I spoke, "Helix, this is the Swift. Looks like you have a new toy. Mind if we come aboard for an inspection?"

The captain of the Helix, Jarrod Mashburn, responded, "No Sir… I mean yes Sir, please come aboard. The bay will be ready when you get here. We look forward to your visit… err… Captain."

I had to chuckle at the attempt of a formal greeting that Jarrod attempted to espouse. "No need for formalities Jarrod. Just call me Grange or Don like everyone else."

We touched down in the bay and we made our way to the conference room closest to the Bridge.

Jarrod replied, "Welcome aboard… Don. You came at a good time. We just apprehended this fella with a load of Emeralds. I would say at least half a million carats worth of high quality stuff. That is going to fetch us quite the credit load back home Sir. Emeralds are in high demand in our sector. We are interrogating the pilot as we speak. He was alone on the ship."

I nodded my head to show my approval. "Nice work Jarrod. The cause will make use of them in some way. That haul may pay for an entire construction dock by itself. George will be excited. You say you are interrogating the pilot? I would love to sit in on that and listen."

Jarrod stood and gestured towards the door. "Absolutely Sir, so far he hasn’t told us much, but we are working on softening him up. Daniels is leading the questioning; he has this jar of bugs that he likes to set on the table in front of whoever he is talking to. They are really nasty looking things although he says they are really harmless. Can’t say I like them being on the ship, but they serve their purpose."

We entered the conference room and a male, who identified himself as being of the Teldaki species, was sitting in a chair on the far side of the table. He was heavyset with a heavy beard and six eyes just below his forehead. Each eye maneuvered individually just as the images of chameleons I had seen in the Grid archives as a school child. The eyes were constantly on the move giving the species a chaotic appearance.

Daniels nodded and then turned back towards the alien. "So, your name if Ribin and you are a Teldaki… while that is nice, I am more interested in your cargo and your destination."

Daniels pushed the jar of bugs an inch closer. All six eyes of the Teldaki turned and focused on the Jar. "My friends here… they love to consume flesh, especially this big red one. Ho… I tell you, I could sit and watch him eat all day. He is just relentless and from what I’ve seen. He likes to start with the eyes."

Ribin squirmed in his chair. The intimidation continued for several minutes with the Teldaki not saying a word.

I looked at Daniels and spoke, "You mind if I have a shot?"

Daniels stepped back, "Be my guest Sir. He clammed up about a half hour ago after stating his name and species. The bugs have only been out a few minutes… but they are getting hungry."

Daniels smiled at Ribin and then pulled the jar back from the table.

I started with my attempt at gaining knowledge. "Mr. Ribin is it? I hope my colleagues have been courteous to you on your visit. Mr. Daniels here, he gets a little impatient sometimes, but he means well."

I turned towards one of the guards in the room. Mitchel, can you go over to Mr. Ribin’s ship and see if there is some food over there he would like to eat? He’s looking a bit hungry."

The alien then moved briefly towards the table and spoke. "The Credish, please bring the Credish. You will find it in the heated compartment in a blue jar."

I seized the moment to break open the conversation. "Credish? I’m not familiar with that dish. What does it consist of?"

Ribin immediately opened up, telling about the Credish and the variety of other dishes he had available on his ship. He was big for a reason and that reason was made abundantly clear. Once he had food in front of him he began to tell his story. His world was rich in Emeralds. When the Milgari took over his population had mostly been slaughtered. Those that remained behind worked in the mines.

"You see, I was once in the mines myself. I was an accountant and tallied the stones each day. When a job opened as a shuttle pilot I applied and moved up. My apprentice moved into my old job as tally master. Then, two of your years ago, my fortune improved again when the pilot of this vessel passed away. It is the highest job on my planet. Many would kill to take my place."

I leaned back and crossed my arms. "Hmm, highest job. That makes you like the president or king or something of your people doesn't it? Are you the representative of the Teldaki? Do you have authority over your people?"

Ribin looked nervous. "Oh no, it is nothing like that. The overlords run everything. I just do my job without question and I do it well. So long as they receive their tally they leave me alone. I do sometimes get lonely though as the trip to the drop-off and back is a six week journey. But Jeoffry, the new shuttle pilot, I get to talk to him when the ship is being loaded, him and the grocery clerk at the drop-off."

I placed my hands together and set them on the table in front of me. "So, every six weeks you take a new load of Emeralds to the drop-off?" Ribin continued to talk as he feasted on his Credish. "Yes, I was on the way there when your men intervened."

Ribin then once again became nervous. "I hope you will not keep me long. If the shipment is overdue they might turn the job over to Jeoffry. He talks about how wonderful I have it. He is my friend, but I do like the position I have."

I turned to Daniels. "Do you have the position of the drop-off from his nav computer?"

Daniels replied as he stood up. "Working on that now Sir."

He exited the room as I turned my questioning back to Ribin. "What can you tell me about the drop-off?"

The Teldaki smiled. "I can tell you what I know. It is an enormous vessel with a tremendous capacity. Each of the worlds in this region bring their mined goods to the drop-off. It takes almost a year to fill its holds with the riches from the Milgari worlds in this region. There is a small celebration each year when the big ship departs. It is something the ore pilots all look forward to. Last year was my first time at a departure. It was a grand event!"