Proving True
Chapter 33

My perCom trills, “Yes, Athena.”

“Captain, Oedipus is in the area, refueling operations should commence within the hour. Captain Rankin, Oedipus Actual, sends his compliments and requests permission to board Silver Saber.”

“Thank Captain Rankin for his services and relay that he is welcome to board provided he brings engineers, mechanics and medical personnel with him.”

“He has been so advised ma’am and informs that he is also bringing members of his kitchen staff and enough food for three days.”

“That should give us enough time to get things sorted out here, and make sufficient cannibalization runs to Gallagher I just hope the pieces we need for here aren’t broken there.” I start walking towards the shuttle bay. It’s like I can’t get away from that place today.

“Roger that, ma’am.”

No sooner does she end the call than my perCom trills again. “Captain, Sergeant Drake. We’ve completed the security sweep and passed on the damage report to Jenkins with a copy to the XO. He made some noises about maintenance bots, but to be honest I wasn’t listening to him anymore.”

That’s typical between trigger pullers and wrench spinners, but I’m not in the mood to deal with it. “Roger that, if you’re guaranteeing our safety, you’re clear to execute a sleep plan. For the short term, the troopers will be assisting in the cannibalization operations. The engineers will be identifying and removing any components needed—“

“And the troopers will be doing the manual labor. No worries, ma’am. That’s historically one of our ancillary missions.”

By the time I get to the shuttle bay, the launch from Oedipus has arrived and the personnel are disembarking. Captain Rankin isn’t hard to detect. The man looks like he just stepped out of a fitness advertisement. I was a runner before I got into space. This guy is too bulky for running so I guess he’s a weight lifter type. And he’s quite beautiful. He has that complexion that looks like he’s never had a pimple. Or worn a frown. And I swear you can read by his teeth the way they gleam. My armor protects my hand, but I’m guessing his handshake is firm, but not painful. “Captain MacTaggert, I presume. Adam Rankin. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, but I would have preferred to do so under less…dramatic circumstances.”

“Sonia MacTaggert, Captain. Welcome aboard Silver Saber. And I agree. I wish we could have met prior to Star Chaser leaving the area. In fact, I’m a little surprised we didn’t meet aboard her before this mission started.”

“Call me Adam, please. And I will agree that we’d prefer Star Chaser to still be in the area. I have a feeling that you’d still be in command of Gallagher and it wouldn’t be a target for cannibalization, am I right, Captain?”

“Call me Sonia. And yes, quite right.”

“So, how are you doing? You personally.”

“Nothing a warm shower, hot meal, and a cold beer wouldn’t help. And thank you for your assistance and support.”

“Oh, think nothing of it. I can only imagine having your ship shot out from under you. I figure any assistance I can provide—meager though it may be—will be welcome. And it’s customary for those in the universe in which I live to help when they can. Who’s to say our fortunes won’t be reversed in the future?”

“I’m just happy they didn’t target you. The initial plan was for you, by which I mean your ship, to stay on the far side of the planet to make both ships less likely to be targets. I think that plan is successful in that Oedipus took no fire.”

“I agree whole heartedly. And if Gallagher can be reclaimed, it’s going to need fuel as well. That’s what we do. And while I’m thinking of it, we have relayed your message to Star Chaser. We hadn’t heard anything by the time I left Oedipus. Do you think Gallagher can be salvaged?” Rankin asks.

“There’s no way for me to know that without inspecting it, but my staff seems to think not. Those were some nasty little drones that infested it.”

“Oh?” his blonde eyebrow curls up over his blue eye. “I knew you came under fire when you thought the battle was over. I suspected it was missiles and secondary explosions.”

“So did I, but those weren’t missiles they were containers, initially mistaken for small craft. After they penetrated the hull, they spit out numerous—I really don’t know how many—independent poltergeist bots that started cutting through practically everything. In theory, it’s an intriguing system. As its victim, albeit separated from the actual carnage, I can tell you it’s as demoralizing as it is devastating. The ship was being cut to pieces around the crew, and there wasn’t a thing they could do about it.”

“Except leave,” he says with just a hint of smugness. He must see the flash I can feel in my eyes. “Which was the right decision.” He rubs his palms together, anxious to change the subject. “I brought medics which are already tending to your wounded, I brought cooks who are heading to your galley, and I brought engineers. To whom should they report?” I look over—okay around—his shoulder at a half dozen people with various tool belts and materiel sets.

“I’ll have my engineer, Chief Jenkins, put them to work.”

“And Gallagher?”

“Once this ship is operational, I’ll worry about that one.”

“Good enough, I don’t think there’s anything else I can do for you here, so I’m going back to Oedipus. If you need me, just give me a holler.” And he boards his shuttle. Then my perCom trills again, Dear sweet Isis, now what?

It’s Shawna, “Cap’n Baby, I need something to do. I’m not injured and this lying in bed alone is driving me nuts! And before I forget, I want to apologize for my break down in the…you know. It was less than professional.”

“Since you asked, I’m going to assign you something. Freddie isn’t the only crewmember we lost. I want you to organize and orchestrate the memorial service. I’ll do the speaking unless you or someone else want to, but as far as scheduling it, finding a place for it, my first thought is on the planet, and all the nitnoid stuff that goes into making it happen. And as close as you and Freddie were, I know you’ll do it up right.” Not only will it give her something to do, it may give her some closure.

There is a long pause. “I…I…I will do the best I can,” she finally stammers.

“I know. That’s why I asked you. And don’t call me ‘baby’ unless you’re looking into my eyes and we’re free of eavesdroppers. Now I have to do some of those command chores. I’ll talk to you later. Oh, before I forget, if you ever apologize to me for being human and having emotions again, I will kick your ass clean off your shoulders. Freddie was a very close friend of yours. And mine, while we’re discussing said subject. If circumstances and personalities had been different the two of you would probably have been a couple if not married. If you hadn’t been upset I would have been concerned. Now, I love you and I’ll talk to you later.”

I thumb the conversation off before she can respond and call Athena. “Two things. The minor is: Jenkins has assumed the role of Chief Engineer, which is fine with me. Please make note of the date and time for the log entries then direct him to have Jose Raines get as many maintenance robots functional as possible. The larger point: My intent as commander is to concentrate on this ship for the moment, if time and resources allow, we’ll deal with Gallagher. And while repair operations are urgent, our mission has not changed. We will scientifically evaluate the flora and fauna of this planet in accordance with previously published directives. If that’s a bad idea, please tell me why.”

“It isn’t, ma’am. Gallagher is a total loss and will require a shipyard or orbiting facility to properly affect repairs. I will pass on the directive for Mr. Raines through Mr. Jenkins. Silver Saber is not as damaged as Gallagher and at this point in time is much more mobile. As you’ve pointed out, our mission has not changed. While we don’t have the bio containment devices Gallagher has, we do have numerous TMOD sarcophagi. Although given time, we can and should transfer those devices to this ship. On that, have you thought about waking the current occupants? We could certainly use their help. And they may be sympathetic to us as we’re unlikely to sell them as slaves.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend? I think we’ll let them sleep for the moment. Once the situation stabilizes, we’ll make that decision a little more deliberately.” My track record of waking sleepers is not good.

“Exac—emergency message from Oedipus. Patching it in.”

“Gallagher Actual this is Oedipus Actual, a large ship just dropped out of Transit. They are coming this way, and will arrive here within the hour.”

Set’s flaming feet, I couldn’t even buy a break today even if they were going for a half credit each! “Oedipus Actual, Gallagher—I mean Silver Saber—Actual, thank you. Break. Athena, I’m on my way, MacTaggert out!” I break out in a run to the bridge.

When I get to the bridge, I hear the hail come through. “Pirate corsair, this is Centurion. You will hold position and prepare to be boarded. Resistance is discouraged.”

Never ask if things can get worse. The Fates usually accept the challenge.

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