Fracture Lines (The Glass Complex Book 2) (21 page)

His later review of the Alliance files disclosed nothing to raise a red flag. The team that had visited
Wasp
had produced reports along the lines he expected. They described
Wasp
and the Stingers as a legitimate mercenary group operating under the Sicca letter of marque, currently contracted to Eos. There were some almost disparaging remarks about the likely effectiveness of such a small team; however, the assessment had not included an analysis of the Stingers’ exo-armor, nor of the weapons and shields available to
Wasp
. They had concluded their reports with a recommendation, signed off by the Alliance captain, that the destroyer would divert its patrol to the location of the freighter and monitor the operations of
Wasp
and its small mercenary team, unless more urgent matters arose.

Good to know
, thought Steg. Wasp
needs to take care. Neither the starship nor its mercenaries should go in shooting—their approach had to be legal.

Commander Gillespie called the strategy meeting. Steg and Dean attended, representing the Stingers. The starship was represented by the commander together with her Weapons, Systems and Astro team leads. At Steg’s suggestion, Stacia of Fain was also invited; the Fain, he had said, should have representation if they were being committed to a strategy that impacted them.

Gillespie said, “We expect to exit s-t in approximately four hours where we’ll be on the edge of the Eos system. If our navigation team is as good as it should be, we’ll be a day ahead of the freighter and its escort. Be aware, based on Steg’s information,
Defender
will be in the region, too.”

“How do we justify stopping the freighter?” asked Stacia.

“We’ve been authorized by the Eos authorities to act as their customs inspectors. We can stop and check any vessel heading into their territory. The freighter—it’s called
Djamu
and is registered with the Grange system. It’s a typical flag carrier—the crew are not Grangians—and has registered its destination as Eos. The crew is mixed, with some Terrans, including the skipper and two other bridge officers. The Xesset starship has not declared any destination.”

“So we sit and wait for the freighter?” asked Rose Curtis, the Weapons lead.

“Yes. We’ll request
Djamu
to stop and allow us to board for a customs inspection. There is a probability the Xesset will attack us at that point. Alternatively, they may be cautious; they’ve lost their two companions. We’ll have to be ready for almost anything.”

Steg said, “We know Eos has not issued an import license for military supplies or weapons. So, if we find any, it gives us a reason to arrest the freighter and take possession of the shipment. We expect our actions, at least, will trigger an attack by the aliens, assuming they’ve been passive to that point.”

“Have you decided who’ll lead the boarding party?” Gillespie asked.

Steg said, ‘Yes, it’s my responsibility.”

“I offered to arm wrestle,” Dean said. “He refused.”

Steg smiled. He had used his experience of fighting Xesset forces to reinforce his claim. Dean had agreed, reluctantly.

Steg said, “There may be Xesset on the freighter, either hidden or generally at large. If so, they could attempt to repel us when we first board, or let us go about our inspection and try to ambush us later. We’re using three teams, twenty marines in each. Kirby and Riddell will lead two. I’ll lead the third. Dean will have the remainder of our mercenary force at the ready here, on
Wasp
, in case the aliens try to board her. We’re going to review our tactics after this meeting. We’ll be armored and fully—and I mean fully—armed. If the Xesset attack, we must overwhelm them immediately.”

“Do we have any more questions?” Gillespie asked her bridge team. “No? Very well. Steg and Dean, I’ll let you go meet with your mercenaries. Stacia, you should brief your team. I want to discuss tactics with Rose and Lessa.”

“Wasp
to
Djamu
. Please acknowledge
.”

Commander Gillespie had taken over communications on the bridge of
Wasp
. The starship was half a million klicks ahead of the freighter, moving slowly to an interception point. Two shuttles, fully shielded, had launched earlier from
Wasp
and were now in a holding position about a thousand klicks off the freighter. The Xesset vessel was holding position about a hundred thousand klicks away from its charge. The bridge team had not been able to discover the whereabouts of the Alliance destroyer; however, they were continuing to search.

The freighter was slow to respond. Eventually a signal reached
Wasp
. “
Yeah, this is
Djamu
. Whatja want?
”

“Wasp
to
Djamu
. We’re Eos Customs. I’m transmitting our credentials. Prepare to be boarded for an inspection.
”

This time the delay was even longer. “
Like hell we will. Go jump into the nearest star.
”

“
Wasp
to
Djamu
. I recommend co-operation. In less than five minutes you will have entered Eos jurisdiction. Either prepare to be boarded or turn back. I’m transmitting another copy of our credentials and a copy of the relevant regulations. If you continue on past our jurisdictional border without allowing our team to board, expect one of our missiles to impact somewhere between your bridge and your engine room.”

This time the wait was not as long. In the meantime the Xesset starship had drawn ahead of the freighter.

“
This is
Djamu
. We’re carrying an important shipment of medical and hospital supplies for your planet. It’s required urgently. We can’t afford the delay your inspection will cause. People will die.
”

Gillespie ignored the message from
Djamu
. Her concern was the Xesset ship.

“
Wasp
to unidentified escort of
Djamu
. You are entering Eos jurisdiction. Do not interfere with authorized and legal activities of Customs inspectors. Remain at least five hundred thousand klicks away from
Djamu
.
Wasp
out.”

The Xesset did not reply, although the vessel slowed and stopped its approach towards
Djamu
. The freighter had also slowed. Steg comlinked with Commander Gillespie. He said, “Commander, the Xesset and the freighter are in communication, trying to work out a response to our demands. The freighter captain’s requesting permission to allow us to board. He thinks he can bribe us. The Xesset are objecting.”

“Good. I’ll continue to maintain pressure on the freighter.”

Gillespie followed up with another transmission, “Wasp
to
Djamu
. Send a copy of your manifest. Do not proceed further without our permission. Prepare to be boarded for inspection now.
”

The two starships,
Wasp
and
Djamu,
had come almost to a stop. Steg was tempted to instruct his two-shuttle force to move up to the freighter, but decided instead to hold off until the Xesset ship was further away.

After a long delay, the freighter replied, “
Damn you. All right, come and carry out your inspection. It’ll be your job that’s at risk when your bosses hear you’ve delayed us
.”

“Wasp
to
Djamu
. Tell your friend to back off. I want at least half a million klicks between it and you, is that clear?
”

“
Yeah, yeah.
”

A shuttle launched from the Xesset ship; Steg assumed it contained reinforcements for the freighter. “Commander, I need Weapons to fire a warning shot in front of that shuttle. We want them to back off.”

“Sure, Weapons can handle that. We’ll provide a colorful demonstration. Weapons, you heard. Scorch the nose of that Xesset shuttle.”

Seconds later the flare of a graser blast lit up the region around the Xesset shuttle. The beam must have shaved the heat shield off the front of the small craft, Steg thought. It tumbled until eventually its pilot brought it back under control, and it immediately returned to dock with the Xesset starship.

“Wasp
to
Djamu
. I said tell your friend to back off. I now want them a million klicks away. Any attempt by them to bring up shields or use weapons will attract my attention, and I assure you, they don’t want that to happen. You will remain in your current location while your companion backs off. Understand?
”

“
Yeah, yeah
,” came the reply.

Slowly, the Xesset starship began to move away from the freighter. It was a gradual and almost painful process. In the meantime, Steg had used the diversion to move his two shuttles closer to the freighter, sheltering the small craft behind the body of the larger starship, away from the Xesset. He navigated his craft towards the freighter’s shuttle bay while Kirby’s pilot directed the second shuttle to its position some fifty or so feet off
Djamu’s
hull, directly in line with their engine room.

The freighter crew, under duress, opened the lock to its shuttle bay, and Steg guided the shuttle through the huge access doors and settled the craft onto the deck. Mooring ties automatically locked into place. His shuttle was facing the exit, and he could blast his way through the doors if the freighter crew attempted to trap them. He comlinked to the other shuttle. “Kirby, we’re inside. We’re closing the doors to balance air pressure. We should be through their personnel lock in five.”

“Roger that. My team is ready to commence entry—we’re in position right above the engine room. Give the signal and we’ll be through the hull in seconds.” Kirby was tasked with piercing the hull and taking over the freighter’s engine room. Without power, the freighter would be at the mercy of
Wasp
.

“Good. I’ll keep broadcasting as we progress.”

Steg led a small team into the lock. Ten more would follow once he was through and into the freighter proper. The remainder would remain on board to protect the shuttle, although he would use them as backups if necessary.

Steg stepped out of the personnel lock and almost gagged. The starship was in need of a major clean up, starting with the atmosphere. He suspected their scrubbers must be faulty or hadn’t been serviced in a long time. He looked around the entry area—there was debris everywhere. The freighter was a mess; it seemed it had not been cleaned or had even light maintenance for possibly years. He was met by a scruffily dressed bridge officer and three members of
Djamu’
s crew. Only one, a Xesset, Steg suspected, was in armor.
Djamu’s
personnel all carried lightweight weapons, which were unlikely to cause damage or injury to his team.

“I’m Captain Banner, skipper of
Djamu
,” announced the officer. “I need to see your documents, the originals.”

“I’m de Coeur, senior officer of Eos Customs.” He handed over a case. “Our credentials.”

The skipper flipped open the case and gave the contents a cursory glance. He handed the documents to the armored crew member. “Here. Check these,” Banner said. He looked alarmed when more mercenaries followed Steg through the lock.

“Fifteen of you, all armored up, to check my freight?”

“We sometimes find we need to protect ourselves,” Steg said. “Can I have the manifests for your delivery to Eos?”

“Well… I thought we could sit and discuss what you’re looking for, first.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. You know, I could be extremely generous. I’m sure you and your men could do with some—shall we say—additional spending money?”

“You have enough to bribe all of us? There’s my men here, another ten in the shuttle bay, and I’ve another shuttle standing off. Plus, of course, there’s our commander and bridge officers and another five teams or more on board our starship.”

“Well, I didn’t think I’d need to be generous to all of you. Perhaps you and these men here.” He looked around at the heavily armed mercenaries, each wearing Customs badges. Eos had sent badge and other templates with the signed contract. The mercenaries had spread out, some surrounding the small greeting party, while others were positioned ready to advance along the corridor.

Banner turned to the armored alien. “Are those documents valid?”

The Xesset grunted and handed back the case to the freighter skipper. “Get on with it,” the alien instructed in awkward Anglo. He added a short sentence in his own language.

The Xesset’s words triggered a connection and then another and another, all cascading, when Steg recognized that the alien had added: “
I should kill you all
.”

He froze for a moment. He had an entire Xesset dictionary available to him; it had been uploaded by a process created by Homeworld’s massive computer system, the Glass Complex. The computer system on the Imperial destroyer
ss Ziangka
had used the process to dump the Special Force’s entire knowledge of Xesset into his brain, minutes before the Imperials had launched an attack on the fleeing alien starships.

Steg said, in High Xesset, “
All Xesset are would-be killers, it seems
.”

Startled, the alien drew back and raised his weapon, almost defensively. He said, “
You—you are a nonbeliever. How can you speak my language?
”

“
It is not that difficult. Put your weapon down unless you want my men to shoot you.
” The alien did not move. Steg continued, “
Where are your companions? You’d better tell them they should surrender to us
.”

The alien backed away, then turned and ran back along the corridor, disappearing around a corner.

Steg had reached his hand out and stopped his men from firing at the retreating alien.

“What was that all about?” asked Banner.

“I told him to surrender.”

The freighter skipper was ashen faced. “You can speak their language? No one I know can do that. What are you? Are you one of them?”

Steg ignored the man’s agitation and said. “Cargo manifests, please. I won’t ask a third time.”

“It—it will take a moment for my cargo master to get them for you.” Banner was perspiring; small beads were running from his receding hairline down the sides of his face.