Loyalty to the Cause (TCOTU, Book 4) (This Corner of the Universe) (36 page)

When
Cooke finished his judgment on the status of Seshafi’s newly acquired snows, another
loud burst of frivolity punctuated his statement.  A Seshafian lieutenant was
wagering against his counterpart on whose weapons crew would outperform the
other.  Heskan noticed Vernay close her eyes tightly and mutter, “
Dulce
bellum inexpertis
.”

Wallace
caught the Latin and chortled, “Ah yes, but
dulce periculum
, Commander. 
You cannot blame them for chomping at the bit with combat only five days from
us.”

Heskan
arched a questioning eyebrow.  “That is oddly specific, Admiral.  How do you
know when combat will begin?” 
Did he just openly state when he is going to attack
us?

Once
again, the social atmosphere chilled several degrees.  Wallace straightened
himself to his full height and loomed over Heskan.  “Because, sir, it is so
stated in my
casus bellum
.”  He scarcely concealed his disdainful
expression as he lectured, “I don’t know what villainous corporations you have
worked for but Sadens abide by the rules of war and we conduct ourselves like
the gentlemen we are.”  He gave Cooke a precautionary glance as he declared, “I
would expect all representatives of Seshafi, even
rabble
without
uniforms, to know this and I would lament any stain placed upon our good
friends by their privateer allies.”

A
red-faced Vernay stepped forward in defense.  “Captain Heskan has an
unblemished record, Admiral, and the only villainous corporation I’ve seen is
the one that stands before me now.”

Heskan
tried to subtly restrain Vernay by placing a hand to the small of her back but
she stepped closer to Wallace and pressed, “And the only ‘stains placed’ might
be the deposits in your ship captains’ undergarments after he’s done with you!”

Heskan
saw Wallace and Lane bristle at the taunt.  A crimson hue darkened their cheeks
but Wallace merely replied politely, “Of course.  Now, if you will excuse me.” 
He shot an angry look to Cooke and curtly uttered, “Piers… Camille.”

Heskan
watched Wallace’s trio retreat.  He glanced sideways at Vernay who was staring
at the ground before her, slightly shaking her head.  Her hands were curled
into tight fists.

Admiral
Chattersby addressed Cooke’s wife.  “Camille, why don’t we go find my husband? 
Perhaps you can help me spot Charles in this crowd.”  The two women moved off
together.

Heskan
glared at Vernay before he looked up to Cooke’s eyes.  “Sorry about that,
Admiral.  My first officer is fiercely loyal.”

“An
admirable trait, to be sure,” Cooke conceded.  He took Heskan by the shoulder
the way a father might a son.  “Garrett, Viscount Wallace’s rabble comment was out
of line.  I believe that’s why he did not press the matter.  However, given the
sequence of events tonight, I fear I must have a private concern of mine
answered for us to continue.”  The man sighed before stating, “You see, your
service file with Secure Solutions was corrupted.  The only contents in the
Secure Solutions jacket are your name and rank.  Now normally, these things
take care of themselves.  Solutions’ reputation is outstanding so I overlooked
the matter.  Unfortunately, I feel I must address this… unpleasantness, given
your…” Cooke looked away from Heskan and swallowed as he mentally constructed
his next phrase.  “Your seeming lack of awareness of warfare.”  He smiled
bashfully at his own utterance.  “Might I inquire as to your experiences of
war?”

Vernay
shot Heskan an incredulous look even as Heskan looked at Cooke with
understanding. 
I can’t blame him,
he thought
.  We waltz into his star
system unannounced, looking like ignorant vagabonds to his people.  We’ve
committed social blunder after blunder.  How could he not be worried given our lack
of records and performance in his system to date?

“Admiral,
surely you must respect the confidentiality of privateers,” Heskan began
cryptically.  “However, I can tell you that my crew and I have survived the
Brevic-Hollaran war.  Further, in our last corvette, we single-handedly bested
adversaries who out-massed us five to one.  It was not a bloodless victory, but
it was decisive.”

Cooke
angled his head slightly as he pursed his lips in thought.  Finally, he stated,
“All interestingly phrased, Captain.  This, perhaps, brings about more
questions than it answers.”  He looked contritely at Heskan while he explained,
“You see, I am well aware of the rules and regulations of The Foster Fifteen and
you seem too young to have been a Hollaran full komandor before your
admittance.  Therefore, the trajectory of your privateer career must be
meteoric to have been promoted to captain inside Secure Solutions, but then
that does not account for this unfamiliarity with corporate protocol in this
region.”  Cooke rubbed his chin as he dissected.  “Then there is the matter of
your first officer’s addressing her former rank.”  He looked casually toward
Vernay.  “Lieutenant, junior grade, is neither a Hollaran nor Federation rank.”

Heskan’s
stomach roiled. 
It’s all falling apart and we haven’t even started.  I was
a fool to think we could pass ourselves off as something other than the Brevics
we are.
  He looked openly at Cooke and admitted, “Admiral, I know there are
questions and I won’t lie to you; we’re all new to corporate etiquette.” 
Heskan reached out to grasp Cooke by the shoulder.  “But I promise you that
there is not a finer, more professional or experienced crew in Seshafi.  I am
responsible for all the actions of my crew and the social failures committed
tonight are my fault alone.  Just understand that my crew has come a long way,
sacrificed more than you might believe to have this opportunity to start their
lives anew.”  He looked earnestly into the admiral’s eyes and beseeched, “If
you give them this opportunity, you won’t regret it.”

Cooke
returned Heskan’s hard stare with one of his own.  After many moments of
deliberation, he nodded and said, “Very well, I am convinced but please
consider that just as her social conduct tonight reflects on you, your conduct
in battle is attributable to me.”  He pulled firmly at the bottom of his jacket
and smoothed his sleeves.  “You see, history will judge us not only on the
outcome of our battles but the fashion in which they are fought.”

Vernay
smiled pleasantly but offered, “Some might say, Admiral, that the victors write
the history.”

Heskan
wanted to both laugh and cry at Vernay’s reference to the very Brevic turn of
phrase.  “What Commander Vernay means is that we, as the victors, will write a
history that Seshafi will be proud of, Admiral.  I promise.”  He squeezed
Vernay’s elbow slightly to emphasize his meaning.

Vernay merely
maintained her charming smile while Cooke nodded.  “Excellent.  I am glad we
have an understanding.  The Sade system contains our brethren and when this
conflict with IaCom is resolved, we will reinitiate friendly relations with
them.  Now if you will excuse me, I mustn’t neglect my other guests.  Captain,
I look forward to our conference tomorrow morning to negotiate your contract.”

*  *  *

Cooke
reunited with his wife and the Chattersbys.  His entourage swept by Wallace’s
company once again before heading off to another large group of mixed
officers.  As Viscount Wallace and Admiral Lane watched their departure, Lane
looked back toward Heskan and Vernay and commented, “Curious couple.  What other
contracts have they signed?”

Wallace
felt his ire rise again but declared sedately, “I’m uncertain but they are ruffians
of no consequence.  Merely unknowns from the outer systems, no doubt.”

Lane
looked inquisitively at her superior.  “Shall I have a book started on him?”

Wallace
shook his head.  “That won’t be necessary.  After all, he won’t even fire a
shot.”

The
morning contract negotiations turned into nearly an all-day affair, though not
because of any hurdles over the actual terms.  On the contrary, Heskan had been
pleasantly surprised at the speed and efficiency in settling the matter.  The
Seshafian government had all the necessary documents already on hand, a byproduct
of familiarity with employing privateers.  The delay was a result of the overwhelming
Seshafian need for hospitality.  First, before negotiations could be discussed,
a “light breakfast” more resembling a feast was served with polite but
inconsequential conversation.  Heskan learned of Cooke’s distinguished military
past including two defensive battles fought against the Lagrin system.  During
those conflicts, Admiral Wallace and the Saden fleet had thrown in their
support to Cooke, cementing an enduring friendship.

Over
coffee, when Heskan expressed interest in signing a landed contract, Admiral
Cooke insisted that they take his private shuttle down into the atmosphere of
Seshafi Major to fly over the most appealing territory approved for privateer
contracting.  Cooke also offered to tour many areas on Seshafi Minor, but
Heskan’s prior discussions with his crew had determined that land located on
the primary planet was preferable to the harsh environment on her thinly
atmosphered “twin.”

The
views from Cooke’s shuttle were breathtaking.  Seshafi Major was nearly equal
parts land and water, providing for a vast array of panoramic coastline property. 
While sightseeing, Vernay used her datapad to take extensive footage of her favorite
locations.  During their flight back to the orbital, Cooke explained that it
was not necessary to decide which parcels of land they might want until after
services had been rendered.  Landed contracts only promised the option of
purchasing land at favorable prices rather than restricting the form of payment
to specific territory.

They
reassembled in the room where they had indulged in breakfast to find an
elaborate lunch waiting.  During lunch, AmyraCorp’s CEO, Archduke Joshua Covington,
joined them for friendly banter.  Heskan sat in awe at the approachability of
the distinguished person in the speech he had shown his crew weeks earlier.  The
archduke was a delight and displayed a profound pride in Heskan’s interest in settling
in Seshafi, remarking how it was the perfect place to retire after a distinguished
career.  Covington enthusiastically extoled the virtues of Seshafi while also
surreptitiously inquiring if Heskan owned title to his snow and if that vessel
would remain in Seshafi subsequent to any retirement.

Negotiations
securing Heskan’s services finally commenced nearly five hours after he first
shook hands with Cooke that morning.  After all the build-up, the actual
discussions were something of a letdown.  Within twenty minutes, the captain’s
pricing, indigenous crew fees, supplemental crew requirements, and terms for
Elathra’s
lease were settled.  All offers had seemed very reasonable, if not outright
generous, to Heskan and Vernay.  Cooke explained casually that AmyraCorp could
afford the best since they saved credits by operating only a minimal standing
fleet.  Such practices normally served corporate systems very well, although for
this particular conflict, AmyraCorp was having unusual difficulty securing the
service of privateers.  Most companies cited vague commitments elsewhere as reason
for being unable to offer forces to Seshafian service.  Hollara’s pledge of
affordable, if a little antiquated, snows had been a godsend for the system,
and the appearance of a Secure Solutions snow, when the outfit earlier stated none
would be available, was a boon.  Heskan believed he sensed a hint of paranoia
and desperation as Cooke discussed their inability to enlist normally plentiful
privateers to their defense.

After
the contracts were signed, Cooke once again insisted they remain for a more
in-depth discussion about corporate warfare tactics that eventually spilled
into an early dinner.  As the subject of naval tactics was explored, Cooke
became a different man.  Where there once sat an untroubled and affable
gentleman, a tiger emerged.  It was clear to Heskan that Cooke not only
possessed a keen tactical mind but also was well-versed in his style of
warfare.  Cooke reaffirmed his pledge to keep Heskan’s ship from the worst of
the fighting.  Initially, Heskan bristled at Cooke’s insistence that
Elathra
take station in the rearguard section of his line of battle; it seemed clear
that the admiral had lingering doubts about his abilities.  However, Cooke
explained that there would be a limited number of opportunities to exercise
with the rest of the fleet starting that very evening, and that all of the
Colossus-class ships would serve the fleet in the trailing section.  Cooke
pointed out that as a result of accepting station in the rear, Heskan would be
that section’s leader by virtue of his rank.  Seshafian lieutenants would
command the remaining four ships in Heskan’s rearguard.  The distinction of
leading a section would also invoke the “Line Section Commander’s Clause” in
Heskan’s contract, garnering him additional payment.

Hours
later, a very tired Heskan floated through the docking tube with Vernay.  As
they entered
Elathra’s
airlock, Vernay stated wearily, “I know I asked
to come with you for all that, Captain, but next time feel free to leave me on
the ship.”

Heskan
chuckled and replied, “If all goes well, we won’t have to do it again.  If we
hit the milestones in our contract, we should be able to just convert some of
our payment into land and then start building.”