The Asking Price of Stars Page 10

  Cici thought, On the other hand, we don’t look much different than the ships docked here. Commander Caniitack was true to his word. White Star Line rebuilt the Outcast Lady. The inner hull was rebuilt. New dual plasma engines were installed. No more crashing due to an engine failure. The Time Wave Drive was reconstructed and is fully operational. The rail-guns, and missile bays, were overhauled piece by piece so that they looked just like the original weapons but functioned as new. A new twenty-man lifter and a new six-man min-lifter were delivered. They added new environmental systems. And, of course four new parachutes were installed. Inside she is a gem but outside still an old battered warship.

  The officers and sergeants sat at the Ward Room table. Empty coffee cups and cold gubble brew mugs were scattered over the table. Purple Cat lay cured up on the table next to Tracey. It had been a long planning session. Kat began to outline the final version of the plan.

  “We need information,” Kat said. “Somehow, we must find a link to the pirates. Our cover is delivering documents, vids and data to several planets. The plan here on Schwaigerland is to send the min-lifter over to the space station with a team of Demitrianna, Cici, myself and Centari as pilot. As Commander, I will formally present our documents. Then we attempt to locate one of the contacts Spider, I mean Demitrianna, was given. We will also see what we can learn from ship crews and station personnel.”

  Demitrianna interrupted, “Use my nick name. I have gotten quite comfortable with ‘Spider’ during the long voyage from Martha’s Hide. I know everyone uses it.”

  Kat nodding to Spider’s request continued, “At the same time, we will send a larger party in the big lifter down to the space port on the surface. The second team will consist of Tracey, Light, Shadow, Nirabella, Peter and Baryic as pilot. We will also send one of the crew to guard the lifter. You will deliver new vids, docs, etc. and data to key traders. Then you will order supplies. The team will be given several days of surface time in which you will spend in taverns and other establishments. Hopefully you can make contact with pirates or smugglers, directly or indirectly.”

  Kat thought, the presence of a Half Troc may open certain doors for you. Nirabella’s medical skills could unlock other doors for the team. The gods know Shadow and Light can find their way round a space port.

  Kat closed the briefing saying, “Fidelity and Erica Nguyen will hold the Outcast Lady. May the gods of Far Star be with us all!”

  Four hours later Kat, Cici and Demitrianna found themselves in the offices of Sun Transaction Trading just off the main deck of the space station. A young man with the striking good looks of a vid actor ushered them into the inner office. Cici chose to stay with the young man.

  The office was small but superbly furnished. Deep maroon carpets covered the floor and rich red Diike Wood panels covered the walls. Three real oak chairs were arranged in front of the desk. The antique aluminum desk was taken from some ancient space ship. It reflected the fine glow of aluminum worn by use of a thousand hands. Demitrianna said to herself, you could buy a small ship for what that desk cost.

  *********

  In the port city of Schwaigerland, Tracey was standing at the bar ordering a Beer and Blue, a mixture of beer and blue grain alcohol. The tavern named ‘Stars to Dust’ was just a block from the space port. It filled up with thirsty customers as second watch ended. Someone slapped her ass. Normally she would break a couple of fingers. This time she turned and said, “Hello, handsome, what ship are you off of?”

  The tall young man replied, “I am Eric an Engineering Sergeant formerly of the Ms. Weldon VIII. Up to a few weeks ago she was the finest contract escort along the Green Line. Would you like to join us at my table in back?”

  Tracey grabbed her Beer and Blue and followed Eric toward the table. In Tracey’s view, he was a fine-looking man with an athletic body, short brown hair, and a strong face. Tracey motioned for Light and Peter to join her. Eric introduced them to the other female person at the table.

  She’s interesting, Tracey thought. She’s definitely human but trying to look like a Troc.

  Tracey observed that she was stocky with blue and magenta hair. Her face, which might have been attractive, was marred by a long scar down her right cheek. She did not give her name or station. Both Eric and the woman appeared to be shocked to see Peter.

  *********

  The man behind the desk motioned Kat and Demitrianna to sit in the oak chairs. He offered them ice tea which the young man from the outer office served. He also asked the young man to make sure Cici was served tea and had a clear view of the entry way. He then looked at Kat and Demitrianna for a minute and said, “No need to introduce yourselves; I know who Shane, Kat, Jang and Demitrianna Constantine are. But let introduce myself. I am Ivan Sun the number two at this concern. My mother Juliana asked me to help if possible.”

  Kat took stock of the man. Ivan was mid-height, no more than twenty-five standard years, with a finely cut face and his blonde hair was short. He does not have the look of a ship’s officer. His whole presence screams rich ship owner, Kat thought.

  Ivan began, “I believe you may be trying to contact pirates. Why not just shoot yourselves now and save a lot of trouble? These are incredibly nasty people. Do you know what a kill dot is? No? -- You and your crew are likely to end up as kill dots. If pirates don’t slaughter you, you will pray to every god you know that they had.”

  “If you can’t find pirates,” Ivan continued, “I suspect your plan is to contact smugglers. That’s where I may be able to help you. There is a planet called ‘Horizon’ about ten light years from here. My company sometimes ships high value cargo to Horizon in armed war ships.”

  An hour later Kat, Cici and Demitrianna sat in a tavern which opened on to the main passageway. Cici and Demitrianna shared a half liter of wine; Kat sipped a Gubble brew letting the rich warm bubbles vaporize just under his nose. Kat asked Cici, “What did you find out from pretty boy?”

  “I learned ‘don’t trust Ivan or his mother and stay away from Horizon’.” Cici replied.

  *********

  Kat, Cici and Spider met Tracy at the space port on the surface a few hours later. Tracey, Light and Peter were accompanied by a female and a human male. Tracey spoke first. “I would like you to meet Czajka and Eric; they have some information which may be helpful. However, Czajka wants to trade the information for something we have.”

  “Czajka what do want for the information? Just how valuable is it?” Kat asked.

  Czajka replied, “Meeting one of your crew was not luck. I knew an officer or sergeant would show up at ‘Stars to Dust’ eventually. Our speculation was confirmed when Officer Watkins showed as quickly as your ship made orbit delivering vids, data and documents to traders. The fact that you, the Commander, would send officers to a tavern in the first hour on the surface, told me worlds. A warship like yours is far too costly to operate on what you can make hauling vids, data and documents.”

  “I believe you plan to solve the problem and make bags full of Imperials as a smuggler,” Czajka continued. “Tracey was looking for information on trade routes, types of ships, and sorts of cargo. My best guess is you will head for Cats Claw, Star Island, Tanaka’s Rock or even Horizon. The both of us have contacts on all four. Plus, we know the smuggler’s trade. This much I will tell you: do not trust any trader on the station or on the surface. All of them would sell their mothers for half a League Star.”

  Spider asked, “Is there someplace we can talk in private?”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  - Planet Schwaigerland - 07-10 -518.

  Nirabella, Shadow, and Baryic walked into the warehouse office of the Schwaigerland Trading Company. Nirabella’s data pack was filled with bills of lading and a long list of needed supplies. This was the third trading company they had visited. Over twenty companies traded near the landing field. Schwaiger’s reputation of was one of the best. The two clerks in the outer office greeted them.

  “How may we help you?
” the young woman asked. “Hello” was only greeting of the older, large and very fit man.

  The office was clean but well-worn. Nirabella quickly explained that they were there to arrange delivery of fifty cases of documents and vids. She downloaded the bills of lading from her data pack to the office system. After a quick review of the bills, the female clerk led Nirabella and Baryic into a conference room. It was simple but elegant and new. Shadow remained in the front office. He took a seat with his back to the inner wall and facing the entrance with a clear view outside.

  A thin, tall, woman of more than sixty standard years greeted Nirabella and Baryic. She held a copy of their bills of lading in her hand.

  “Good morning,” she greeted. “I am North Schwaiger-Smith. Thank you for delivering the cases. We will send lifters to pick up the shipment during next watch.” The young woman brought in a tray of sweet breads and hot Martheain Herb Tea. The lavender color of the tea deepened as the small tea bugs gave the color and the spicy distinctive flavor to the tea.

  Nirabella thanked North, “Martheain Tea is a rare and costly treat. The euphoric effect is delightful. One additional item –we must resupply our ship. I am downloading the list of needed supplies to your system.”

  North scanned the list, “We can fill your order for supplies quickly, including the dark matter you need. Our bid should be the lowest on Schwaigerland.”

  “The list is not out for bid. We would like the resupply to be completed quietly, with as little notice as possible. I have just downloaded your firm enough Imperials to cover 20% of the cost. We will pay the balance on delivery.” Nirabella said.

  Baryic then asked, “Please tell us about trade in this area of space.”

  North replied, “That, my handsome friend is a complex issue. There is fair amount of legitimate trade between these fringe planets and major Green Line planets. There is also smuggling of every type out here on the fringe. Most of the smuggling is done simply to avoid duties and taxes imposed by the main trade planets. However, a fair amount of it is with the pirates.”

  “Yes, the pirates do attack our ships,” North affirmed before the question could be asked. “They kill and capture our people and ships and devastate trade. We fight them, kill them and destroy their ships, but if the profits are large enough, we damn well trade with them.”

  Nirabella asked, “Where does the trade with pirates take place?”

  “The choicest planets for trading with pirates are Cat's Claw, Star Island, and Tanaka’s Rock. They all have governments controlled by traders. At least minimum protection is offered the ships that trade with them. A war ship such as Outcast Lady should be safe. On the planets’ surfaces a semblance of order is maintained by contract troops hired by the traders. If you can deal with some risk, profits can be substantial.”

  “The other planet, Horizon is used for trading with pirates,” North continued. “I don’t recommend going near it. The corrupt government is run by a gang of pirate commanders. Your ship could be attacked while in orbit. The streets of the port city are wild and death comes easily. Trading on Horizon is not for the weak. Every trade is racked with fraud and deception. But, profits can be tremendous.”

  Nirabella thanked North for the information. She told North to let herself or Baryic know when she would start shipping supplies up to the Outcast Lady.

  Nirabella, Shadow, and Baryic were drinking cold beers at a table in the back of a tavern called The Red Gunneran hour later.

  Baryic asked Shadow, “Tell us what you found out.”

  “The clerks think North is a sharp trader but a decent boss. The big clerk is some type of bodyguard. While protecting North he lost an eye on a planet called Horizon. She paid a pile of Imperials for a replacement eye. The gods know that’s more than most traders would do,” Shadow concluded.

  *********

  Nirabella, Shadow, and Baryic met Kat heading back to the lifter as he guided them to a Tavern on the edge of Landing Field. The ‘Wave Peak’ was a decent tavern catering to officers and sergeants. They found the other two parties and two strangers in a private room in the basement. Peter was checking the room for any type of listening devices. Peter crushed a tiny device then dropped it into a water glass and added salt. He finally wrote on a cardboard sign ---Now looks clean, we can resume our talks.

  Kat said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, our two guests Czajka and Eric would like to speak.”

  The female began, “We believe you plan to take this ship smuggling. I am Czajka; yes, it’s my full name. I was the Weapons Officer on the Ms. Weldon and Eric was an Engineering Sergeant. We shall dispense detailed information within a day or two that would otherwise take you a year to find. It will cost you just 1,000 Imperials.”

  “It’s blood price!” Kat exclaimed. After he regained his composure he instructed, “Go ahead tell your tail. We will pay if and when know the info is good.”

  Czajka began to talk.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  High Orbit Above the Planet Nothing #7 08-01 -518.

  Not too many light years away from Schwaigerland, the pirate ship Dark Song rode a high orbit above the planet called Nothing #7. On board a tough young Trocnavar Commander Niikia Kaiii-var announced, “Artystaar Tiigano will be First Officer.”

  Artystaar walked to front of the mess deck on the Dark Song and joined Niikia Kaiii-var as their new Commander. Artystaar reflected: When we arrived at the station here, where ever ‘here’ is, we found Dark Song waiting for us. There was small crew on board, however, and Niikia did not take command. Apparently, the Blood Fire gang would make up the majority of the crew. True to pirate tradition, Niikia called for a vote to select a Commander. Niikia Kaiii-var reputation for blood thirsty attacks, great prizes, and a fair share for her crews, made the vote a no contest. Certainly, her twenty-two Kill Dots did not hurt. Most of them were black. What surprised me was when she called for the crew to vote for me as First Officer.

  Artystaar evaluated their new Commander. Niikia was tall for a Troc, about mid height for a human. Her face and body looked as if it was carved from stone; square jaw, flat nose and deep gold eyes. Her hair was black and silver which is very unusual for a Troc. There was something about her that said, “Trocnavar Fleet Officer, not pirate”. But her kill dots said ‘pirate’. Most of her dots were black. Red kill dots were awarded for killing fellow pirates, green dots awarded for killing civilians and black dots were for killing military. Killing crew in Trocnavar Blue Fleets, Tri-Star Republic, Free Space Force, contract ship, or any other military, did not matter. Killing someone in face-to-face combat resulted in a black dot honor.

  Artystaar’s heart raced when she first saw Dark Song floating docked at the station. Dark Song was an ex- imperial escort. The ship was less than sixty years old, fast and well-armed. The Empire built ships long and lean. The Song was 100 meters long and shaped like the classic striker fish. The Control Center was on the “upper” side. The center was shaped like a half tear drop and set into the hull twenty meters from the nose. It was covered with view ports, antenna, and sensors and retractable during combat.

  Aft of the control center was a section twenty plus meters in diameter with four turrets in a circle around the hull. Each turret was equipped with a single rail gun. The guns could fire in all directions except directly aft. The section also held a drop bay for midsized missiles. It was the ‘extra section’ which made the Song a perfect pirate ship. Extra fuel, water, supplies, rail projectiles, and missiles were stored in this section held in the lifter bay.

  The aft section of the hull held engineering. Arranged around the hull, in a three pointed star configuration, were three structures. On “top” was the communications tower. Shaped like a fishes’ fin, it bristled with sensors and antenna. A fifth rail gun was at the rear edge of the com-tower to protect from attacks from astern. In order to save weight, the gun was in an open mount. The other two structures were Time Wave Drive pods built on massive fins. The rear surfaces of the pods were
domes with a smooth black surface. The tubes of the plasma drive and the dark matter drive protruded from the fishes’ tail.

  Dark Song was docked at the station orbiting Nameless #7 which was mostly cold rock and frozen waste. However, a livable zone existed around the equator. Blue seas, factory cities, and agricultural estates filled the narrow livable zone.

  The crew was loading the last of the supplies. As they watched, Artystaar and Sandy discussed the station and the planet.

  Sandy asked, “Why is the station so large? I counted twenty pirate ships and two Trocnavar merchant ships. There are full repair facilities with a large air dock and two smaller ones. Is that an old battle cruiser in the big air dock?”

  “Let’s just say things are changing,” Artystaar said.

  Sandy continued, “What about the planet? It appears the green zone is settled and the factories and estate farms are delivering all types of supplies and materials. Who is the labor force for such widespread development?”