Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 3 - New Shores (33 page)

Steve had witnessed a couple of yelling matches between Traders on the mess deck, yet next day they would be working alongside one another without a care in the world. He considered that they were not unlike humans in that respect. The humans had also watched the Traders pair off though there were not enough female Traders to go around. There was talk of marriage ceremonies taking place as they got closer to the colony.

Steve was still practising his Trader language skills on the bridge crew and getting the occasional joke at his expense, when Captain Narindestat walked onto the bridge and gave a start as he spotted Steve sitting in his command chair. His deep Trader voice boomed out in good humour at the discovery, even as Steve hastily exited the chair and gave a polite bow that was returned.

‘So I let a few humans aboard my ship and they are now taking over with you in my command chair. Mind you I think you are personally well suited to captain a star ship from what I have seen of you. Now we are at our detour destination and we will have to be about our business as a special Maveen ship is to arrive shortly.’

Steve stood to one side and then joined Samantha on a couch. The Trader ship further decelerated from the slow speed it had come down to, as it approached a massive space facility in interstellar space that appeared on the main view screen. The facility consisted of spindly black and metallic arms that easily dwarfed the approaching Trader ship. Steve could see of the area of space around the facility, with myriads of smaller Maveen probes and ships circling on patrol. He then looked further along the edge of the screen and could see nearby a dimly lit and large ice planet ringed by more Maveen ships.

The Trader captain had taken an interest himself in the ice planet, and in moments he had zoomed in the main view screen to a closer look of the world. He followed this action by then viewing a series of moons apparently associated with the ice planet before he gave a quick comment.

‘The world looks like one of their special projects they embark upon, not for nothing is the Maveen known as the makers of worlds.’

The captain’s interest was now taken by an approaching large Maveen ship and the view screen again displayed the Maveen space facility. The Trader ship now hung stationary in space and the Maveen probes in the main hold were undocked to be replaced by two new probes, and two slightly different ships with round hulls that had made the short trip across from the larger ship. One of the new probes released a mini probe that made its way to the bridge of the Trader ship and was soon speaking with the captain.

‘Captain, I represent the sector delegate and we are ready to deploy our micro probes to remove any last Voorde infestation on your ship. Do you have any damage we can assist you in repairing?’

Captain Narindestat looked around at Steve and Samantha sitting in their couch and he pointed to them as he replied.

‘You obviously know about Traders, but those two beings are humans and they are my allies, guests and friends. Others of their species are on my ship and I do not want them harmed by accident.’

The mini probe answered immediately as it in turn looked at the humans.

‘Captain, the humans are now known to us and we would never mistake any of them for Voorde. However I do suggest the humans stay on the bridge before we begin our decontamination process.’

After several more minutes all six humans were on the bridge, and a swarm of miniature Maveen micro probes then unloaded from the Maveen cargo lighters and cascaded through the ship. The all clear was given after several hours and the humans joined the Traders in surveying the fragmentary results of the search in the cargo hold as the mini probe gave a brief report.

‘Captain, the Maveen eggs were all long dead and the remains are desiccated and show signs of significant biological decay. The human world seems to be dangerous to the Voorde to some extent. We have also identified areas of your ship damaged by the salt water and we recommend that these areas be repaired.’

Steve interrupted at this point and asked about the significance of the ice world in space nearby. The mini probe merely paused for a significant moment, before it buzzed in annoyance and ignored him as Captain Narindestat authorised the repairs. The captain then dismissed the crew and the humans before setting about talking to the sector delegate directly. He had important information that he had obtained and he wanted the details forwarded on to others of his race.

After two hours a special long range Maveen scout with powerful engines and an enhanced cloaking device was making its way to a Trader facility a considerable distance away across the sector. After four more days of repairs the Trader ship left the Maveen facility and continued on towards the edge of the galaxy.

                                                            ***

Gindane and Omerio both strode in Admiral Baredio’s office and gave the customary bows before they were seated with the admiral. The encounter at the human planet had led to a series of urgent repairs conducted on several cruisers, and at times they had to stop for an extra day or so while the engineers' jury rigged further repairs. Omerio thought that at least of the three cruisers had a burnt and chewed look about them after assisting in repairs, and he knew the ships would be naval star docks for possibly years as they were repaired. He now waited patiently as the admiral began to speak.

‘I would like to thank you for your efforts both at the human planet and afterwards as we have repaired our ships. I have made commendations that will be appended to your each of your records. Gindane, I hope this will be of assistance to you in the long term and of course Omerio your records will remain sealed and top secret.’

Omerio and Gindane both thanked the admiral at this news and he then continued.

‘We are shortly arriving at the rendezvous site for the Deltas Vass fleet and then we will leave from the Dradfer colonies for our home systems. Note that the journey will be long as we have to skirt away from both Cephrit and Tilmud territories.’

The Barus fleet had arrived at former Dradfer lead colony, and after meeting with the Deltas Vass fleet the decision to abandon any further research until the war was ended was easily reached. The Barus research ships left the system with the other ships two days later. Omerio had earlier voiced some residual concerns about the Tilmud, but this was brushed aside over one the dinners he and Gindane were now enjoying again as guests of the admiral and his officers.

‘Omerio, we number thirty two cruisers and we also have the research fleet of a dozen assorted cruisers and destroyers, so I think we are reasonably safe.’

However after only another three weeks of travel, the combined Barus and Deltas Vass fleets were involved in skirmish with over ninety Tilmud frigates. The Tilmud fleet commander had insisted that the combined fleet had been attacking Tilmud forces as three of the Barus cruisers appeared to be heavily damaged. Admiral Baredio swallowed his pride and insisted that his fleet had been mauled by humans at their home world. The impatient and arrogant Tilmud commander had only listened for mere moments and then replied.

‘Admiral, you are telling me that you were driven off from the Trader ship you were sent to capture by mere humans from a haven world? You cannot possibly be serious that their primitive weapons, these missiles of theirs are so capable. Now the only ships out here that can damage your ships are Tilmud ships, so you can stop your lies. I consider I have caught you aiding the Cephrit and I will be advising the Tilmud high command of your actions. All frigates are to attack the enemy.’

The admiral ordered the research fleet to guard the three worst affected cruisers, before he led the combined fleet of twenty nine cruisers against the Tilmud frigates and annihilated the attackers. Admiral Baredio gave Omerio a baleful look and mentioned something about adding another commendation, before he sent the both of them off to do further urgent repairs to the cruisers.

The combined fleet continued on to other star systems and managed to avoid further conflict before they arrived at their own star systems after two more months. During this time Admiral Baredio prepared a series of reports for the Barus military on the latest developments his fleet had discovered at Earth.

                                                            ***

Steve and Samantha strode around their quarters and ensured that they had packed everything they would be taking with them down to the colony. The Trader ship had entered high orbit over the colony earlier and even now the full story of their victory at Earth was being broadcast around the colony.

Captain Narindestat had wished them well and promised he would land at the colony a later stage before he sent them off to their quarters to pack. Now satisfied that they had their belongings under control Samantha stopped by the window and Steve moved to stand behind her as they again took in the view of the Barede colony. He tenderly rested his right hand on her belly and she laid one of her one hands on top.

Together they admired both the new world they would call home and the incredible view they had of the Milky Way galaxy to one side. The sun light streamed over the large continent, with the sun due to set, and Steve pointed out roughly were they would be shortly landing on the mid-west coast of the largest continent near the equator. Samantha now lent back into him and spoke softly.

‘The planet is so new and beautiful from space, and we will have much to do when we arrive.’

Steve gave her a gentle cuddle as he softly replied.

‘You should only be doing what no one else can do until the twins are born.’

Samantha turned in his arms and gave him a kiss, before she replied as she smoothed an imaginary crease in his meticulously cleaned naval uniform.

‘Well we have a lifetime to get things right in the colony and hopefully the following generations will improve on things. Now how do you like Garen and Narin, after our two favourite Traders, as names for our boys?’

The couple enjoyed their final minutes on the ship looking at the colony planet, before they quietly gathered their belongings. They then left to join the rest of the mission team at the base of the docking pylon holding sneak ship five.

Garendestat was already onboard checking the sneak ship out for the landing and Steve noted his relaxed manner, certainly apparent after his formal marriage ceremony last week. Emeria also joined them and politely inquired on Samantha’s pregnancy before she stowed a large bag as they all filed onboard the smaller ship. Garendestat first helped the humans to get secured onboard in the too large Trader seats and then also informed Steve of the latest decision that Captain Narindestat had made.

‘Steve, it will take some time, but we will be setting up refuelling facilities so that the main ship can be refuelled as soon as it lands. The Illuria is at its most effective military capability in space, not stuck on the surface due to no fuel. Father also wants to survey the rest of the star system as a priority.’

Steve replied that he could understand the wisdom of that decision and offered to supply human resources to refine fuel if required. After several more minutes sneak ship five undocked and headed for the Barede planet. The ship circled behind the planet as they dropped out of orbit and entered the planet’s atmosphere well out over the ocean at high speed. The sneak ship dropped to sub sonic speed as it approached the darkened western coast still at high altitude. Steve and his mission team then revelled in seeing the lights of the new settlements appearing on the horizon ahead of the ship.

Steve now took a moment to reflect on the initial news that Dan and Douglas had transmitted to the Trader ship via the Maveen probes earlier when the Trader ship had arrived. After four months the colony was already off to a good start and several cities had been surveyed for construction. The fossil fuel situation for transport remained their biggest concern however they had no shortage of static power facilities as they had found large pockets of geothermal energy. Also good metal deposits had been located and their first crops were due to be harvested shortly.

Steve returned his attention to arriving at the colony with the sneak ship slowly losing altitude as it spiralled down to land. After a moment’s radio traffic, Garendestat was directed to a nearby clearing called Greene’s Crossing fifty kilometres west of the original site, and flares were fired to assist him. Garendestat was smiling broadly, but kept silent as he brought the ship down in a flurry of blown dirt and grass, as he had been briefed by both Dan and Douglas earlier. The mission team gathered their belongings before the sneak ship doors opened, now Steve led Samantha and the four other humans down the small ramp, as a rousing cheer erupted from the huge gathering of people awaiting their arrival.

Steve was amazed at the reception for on either side of the ramp stood an alternating line of soldiers at rigid salute from every nation present in the colony. To one side there was a brass band playing and the large crowd sounded like they had been partying for a few hours. Towards the back of the clearing a large banner waved in welcome. Steve stopped at the foot of the ramp as Dan and Douglas came over to join them, with Dan carefully folding his younger sister into his arms and giving her a long hug.

Steve was looking around and fielding handshakes from Dan and Douglas when a hush came from the crowd. He turned to see Garendestat, now resplendent in his dress uniform, standing with Emeria at the top of the ramp. He did not take his eyes of the two Traders, as he loudly but politely introduced the two of them to the crowd. He knew that most humans present had never seen the Traders in person before.

‘Your attention everyone, please give a warm welcome and a cheer for lieutenant Garendestat and medical officer Emeria from the Trader ship Illuria.’

The two Traders were clearly amazed at the sight as they slowly walked down the ramp, as polite handclapping and enthusiastic cheering from the crowd greeted them in turn. The new arrivals settled back to enjoy their welcome from the crowd in large clearing framed by dense bush land, as overhead the majestic galaxy that had held all they knew continued to shine in the endless night of space.