The Asking Price of Stars Read online

  “Peter, this is Fidelity, we are ready to launch. Are you sure this will work? I have never heard of a missile launch while docked on a planet’s surface.”

  “Neither have I. Fidelity, get your crew clear of the racks, I launch in thirty seconds.” Peter advised.

  The missiles shot free of the bay and hung in the air for milliseconds before the engines fired. It was just quick enough so the missiles did not hit the ground. Peter’s program sent them away from the Outcast Lady and the White Star. For a moment, Fidelity believed the launch was a failure. The missiles turned upward for a kilo. Next, they turned and flew over the White Star. The two missiles then turned downward. Peter’s program sent them in a complete five-kilometer loop and targeted the six new trucks.

  Unfortunately, both missed. The first missile hit a hundred meters behind the truck convoy causing some damage. The seconded one did a bit better. It hit less than ten meters behind the last three trucks. The shrapnel cut through the three trucks ripping them apart. The other three trucks were heavily damaged halting them to a stop. If the air had been denser on Martha’s Hide, the dying shock troops’ screams might be heard.

  The spirit of the Tri-Star Troops was broken with the missile attack and with Kat’s teams’ strong effort to save the Control Room. With their reinforcements gone, the Tri-Star Troops began withdrawing from the White Star. Within minutes the remaining shock troops were fleeing to only where the gods knew. There were not many places to hide on the barren surface of Martha’s Hide. Over the next few days the local militia would hunt them down.

  Kat called for everyone to check in. The first called was Marsborn. “Marsborn, what is your team’s status?” Kat asked.

  There was no response.

  Shadow softly said, “Commander, Marsborn found peace with the gods. He died holding this passageway. He was one brave bastard. Nirabella did her best to save him.”

  Kat open com to the crew and somberly said, “Two brave crew members died today. May Neil Marsborn’s and Ivan Zimmerman’s spirits find a fair passage to Far Star. Commander Jang out.”

  *********

  Four days after the battle, the White Star rested on her landing cradle. Tracey walked down the liner’s main hall toward to the premier class dining room. The fading glory of the great old liner was apparent. The sheets of polished stone in the bright colors that the Trocs love covered the floors and walls. However, Tracy could see that in places the repairs were done in sheets of plastic. The ship was well maintained but old, very old.

  Tracey walked arm in arm with Kat. He leaned on his cane. Behind them was Peter with Fidelity on his arm. Behind them was Baryic with Cici and Nirabella each on an arm. Cici’s arm was, of course, in a sling and a living cast. Finally, came Light and Shadow. If one looked closely one could see Shadow’s shoulder bandaged under his uniform. The officers and crew members of the Outcast Lady wore what passed for dress uniforms; washed, cleaned and pressed dark green utilities with their badges of rank in place. The officers of the White Star and the owner’s envoy awaited them in the dining room.

  The room was elegant. A formal dinner was set on a long table. Commander Fetel Caniitack and his officers stood awaiting them. Tracey thought, Red and pink table cloths, fine porcelain dishes, and titanium ware. Fresh flowers covering the table, only the gods knew what they cost here on Martha’s Hide. The stewards are in nicer uniforms than we are. The Troc officers are in full color robes, the human officers in formal dress white uniforms.

  Caniitack greeted them, “Welcome my friends it’s a great honor to have each of you share our simple dinner. Commander Jang without your efforts we would have lost the White Star and the concentrators to the forces of the Tri-Star Republic. I know both your team and my crew suffered serious loses. I cannot bring back those people. White Star Company can insure the resources to put the Outcast Lady back in space.

  “The White Star Company will make every effort to repair and upgrade the Outcast Lady. One of our cargo ships has arrived with all the essential parts and a team of expert repair personnel. It is our gift to you. Please find your seats and we will begin. Allow me to introduce my officers and two guests. Our owner’s envoy, Kiiirtan Seliicarr, you know my first officer Mark Bourey.” On it went.

  Tracey’s mind drifted until the last person was introduced. A lady stepped out of the darkness as Caniitack said, “May I present Captain Demitrianna Constantine formally of the Free Space Force.”

  Tracey thought make a note to myself to gut shoot the bitch after the sweets are served!

  Demitrianna said to the group, “Hello, I have a proposition you will want to hear.”

  “Not fucking likely -Black Widow!” Kat responded.

  Undeterred, Demitrianna, using Kat’s first name of Shane replied, “Shane and most of all Light, and Shadow should hear the proposition.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  – Planet Nothing #2 –05-20-518

  Light years from Martha’s Hide on a planet called Nothing #2, cold air cut like a hand of ice down the passageway to the main docking area. The space station was not much, just two ancient hulks attached to each other. The station orbited the equator of a nameless planet of frozen ice and rock. Artystaar sat in a tavern just off the main docking area called the Tavern Boy's Home. It was not like any home she had seen but at least it was almost warm inside.

  As the old man at the bar spun out his tales, Artystaar thought, something has changed. Why are the pirates getting Troc ships? Why are we allowed, in violation of every treaty made between The League and Empire, to sell free humans back into the Empire as bound laborers? Why is the Tri-Star Republic on the move? What can they gain?

  At Troc Officers School one of the instructors had told her, “There are four things to remember about the Tri-Star Republic. First, it is not a republic. Secondly, it’s a horrible place to live. Third, the military is tough, disciplined, ruthless, and is killed when they do not achieve victory. Finally, the Superior-Star Leader is completely and totally insane.”

  Sandy sat next to Artystaar listening intently to the old human. She was now a member of the Blood Fire. They were to be crew on the Dark Song, an ex-imperial escort. The ship was less than sixty years old, fast and well-armed. She had been sold to the pirates just a month ago and given her new name. The Blood Fire team was waiting for an armed merchant to pick them up for the trip to the new ship.

  Artystaar told Sandy, “We are going along an unknown branch off The Green Line. The branch was charted by pirate ships years ago. The branch does not go near Green’s Star. This string of planets bends back to several planets all called ‘Nothing’. This branch allows the pirate’s refuges while raiding the length of the Green Line. Ships, personnel and supplies are hidden along the branch. This is without the knowledge of the League of Free Stars, the Tri-Star Republic or any of independent planets along the Green Line. Nor, are the Troc ships trading on the Line aware of the branch.”

  Sandy asked, “Dark Song sounds like an excellent war ship. Why by all the gods is the Trocnavar Blue Fleet selling this ship?”

  “I have no idea. But, damn, it will be good to crew on a real war ship,” Artystaar admitted.

  “One more question, how did the Trocs get the ship out here undetected?” Sandy asked.

  Chapter Twenty- Four

  – Main Landing Field on Martha’s Hide 05-19-518

  Dinner would have to wait. Tracey, Kat, Peter, Fidelity, Baryic, Cici, Nirabella, Light, and Shadow were all shown to a small private conference room. They were quickly joined by Demitrianna and Commander Caniitack. Tracey checked her right boot for her compact pistol.

  Kat yelled, “Demitrianna you have five minutes to present your proposal. Proceed.”

  The woman otherwise known as ‘Spider’ started, “I can understand why each of you hates me and the Free Space Force. I am no longer a member of the Free Space Force. However, I come to you with a private request from the Ax, General Bridgeford.” Demitrianna waited for a resp
onse. There was none. She continued, “You all know pirates are threatening trade along the Green Line. They now strike with significantly larger and better armed ships. The Troc Empire may be supplying the pirates with these ships. It could even be that the Tri Star attack is somehow related to the pirate’s actions. In order to find out exactly what the pirates are planning, the Free Space Force sent an agent to discover what is occurring. The agent was able to make their way deep into the pirate gangs.” Once again, she waited for a response. Once again there was none; only the sound of crew restlessly shifting in their seats.

  She said, “Several reports were received by FSF Intelligence. Then they lost contact with the agent. Green Fleet can’t send ships blasting in to rescue the agent. We don’t even know where the agent is. Ax believes a small ship with a brave and daring crew and without ties to the Free Space Force may have the best chance of finding the agent. He would like to contract the Outcast Lady to find her and bring her out safely. The agent is Major Tara Vasta Freeborn of FSF Intelligence, known to some of you as Auntie Tara.” This time someone gasped.

  Kat raised his hand to stop her. “Demitrianna, I personally would accept the assignment in a flash; however, the officers must vote on the contract. The crew must also accept it.”

  Tracey spoke, “Kat you don’t need a vote. We all know who Major Freeborn is and we are with you.”

  Fidelity added, “All the crew members will accept the assignment; we are also with you!”

  Kat then said, “Thank you all! Demitrianna continue. Tell us why Ax selected us for this task. Also, what is your role in all this?”

  “Ax’s reasons are simple,” she said. “First, he believes you operate outside of normal bounds. Rules, protocols, rank and chain of command are meaningless to you. Second, you Shane, Shadow and Light would do whatever it takes to save Auntie Tara. Finally, Ax thinks you have somehow assembled a damn good crew. My role is clear; I will take over as Special Advisor and as Chief Time Wave Navigator. Based on my skills and abilities, I am the only possible choice!”

  Tracey was first to speak. “We sure as all the hells do not need a Special Advisor and we have an excellent Chief Time Wave Navigator! MS. CONSTANTINE, YOU ARE UTTERLY CRAZY IF YOU THINK YOU ARE IT!!!!”

  Kat once more raised his hand for quiet. “Demitrianna CTWN is not quite the role we see you in.”

  Demitrianna replied, “Kat the resources I will bring with the contract are crucial. No Demitrianna, no funds.”

  Commander Caniitack, who had not previously spoken interrupted, “White Star Lines will ensure Commander Jang has all the resources needed. It will be done quietly, very quietly.”

  Kat said, “As Tracey told you, we have an excellent CTWN. Peter has the confidence of the whole crew. He has been outstanding. Erica Nguyen has done a fine job of backing him up and is our 2nd TWN. We do have a critical need for a 3rd TWN. We might offer you the slot, if you agree to all our conditions. As the first condition, download all the information in your data pack to our packs, starting now.”

  Chapter Twenty- Five

  –In Space Riding the Wave - 06-23-518

  A month later the rebuilt Outcast Lady rode a wave of compressed time and space. The ship was outward bound on a course set by Kat and Peter. Fidelity lay curled up in Peter’s arms on the large bunk in his cabin. As Chief Time Wave Navigator Peter rated a cabin equal to the ship’s Commander. They had spent the 2nd watch making love. Fidelity asked, “Peter tell me about your childhood. I have never known a half Troc. Where were you born?”

  “Fidelity, first let me check the monitors and see how our new 3rd TWN is doing.” After two minutes Peter said, “We are solidly on the peak of the wave, she is doing a satisfactory job. Are you sure you want to know my story?”

  “Yes, my love I want to know everything about you.” Fidelity cooed.

  Peter began his tale, “I was not born a Guderian. I was not born at all; I was grown in a medical module. My existence is the result of extensive Trocnavar genetic manipulation. Trocs and humans cannot interbreed. The two races developed separately and are far too different genetically. However, a small number of half Trocs have been created in genetic labs. As you must know from the Vids, Trocs often keep both male and female human bound laborers as lovers. Trocs and humans are close enough physically to make sex possible- even pleasurable. My mother was just such a concubine. A Troc merchant and noble named Count Kiikt Diiionejj bought her as a child and raised her with his daughters. The Count was a wealthy and powerful merchant on the Imperial Core Planet Kaiii-var. He imported and exported goods from and to the League of Free Stars.

  My mother Victoria grew into a great beauty by Troc criteria. By sixteen standard years she developed the soft full curves that Trocs love. She also had a pretty oval face, flaxen hair, and blue eyes. When she turned seventeen, the count took her for his pleasure. My mother was extremely bright and realized her best hope for escape lay in becoming his favorite.

  Over the next few years she did just that. She knew his every need both in and out of bed and saw that they were met. By the end of three years mother was his hostess for celebrations and business meetings. If the Count wanted an orgy she arranged it and joined the other girls. She was occasionally asked to have sex with visiting nobles and merchants. Several times she spent the night with a human merchant named Richard Guderian.

  Eventually the Count fell in love with her. He kept her just for himself. Then the very worst happened; the Count decided they should have a child. In private my mother screamed and cried her eyes out. She knew what that meant. The next day the laboratory doctors came and took eggs from her.

  The process was very costly and an incredibly complex genetic manipulation to create a half Troc half human child. The process was known to fail about two thirds of the time. About one third of the embryos die in the medical modules. Another third is eliminated at end of their first year. The surviving babies are given to their mothers for the first year. At the end of the first-year doctors evaluate each baby. The ones with defects were terminated. I had several major defects.

  As I approached my first-year mark, Mom knew I was doomed. With the help of Count Diiionejj’s daughters she escaped with me in her arms. Mom ran to the Guderian Trading Company warehouse. She knew Richard Guderian from his dealings with the count. Mom, Victoria, threw herself on Richard’s mercy. He remembered her and loving golden haired beauties, decided to save us. Within an hour, Mom and I were on a Guderian lifter headed for one of Richards’ merchant ships in orbit. We were hundreds of thousands of kilos away racing toward light speed before the Count realized we were gone. He never found out how we escaped.

  A year later, Richard Guderian formed a dual marriage with my mother and adopted me. He is the only father I have known. The Guderians did their best make me feel a part of the family. Over the next few years Richard spent a small fortune correcting my defects,” Peter sighed.

  Fidelity looked at Peter and said “My love” as a tear ran down her cheek.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  – The Planet Nothing #2 – 07-01-518

  A few days later and light years away, the Blood Fire gang was planet-side of Nothing #2. Artystaar was leading the gang on a run because they needed exercise. Her pirates had to keep in shape. They were about ten clicks out and she had just started to push hard. As they were running on a high ridge, Artystaar looked around Nothing #2 and saw immense rolling plains of grass swept out to distant snowcapped mountains. The beauty of the area was beyond description. In this hemisphere of the planet, spring was in season and the lush green grass was so deep one could fall into it. Unfamiliar blue and green trees filled the river valleys but Artystaar hated every damn square meter. She wanted to be in space!

  The gang was awaiting their new ship. They shipped down to the surface for full gravity physical training. Pirates who were out of shape did not survive. Artystaar pushed the gang to their limit; she wanted them in first-rate shape when they went back into space.
Artystaar looked to her right and saw Sandy running effortlessly. She must be twice my age and running like a Weldon Lion hunting fast prey, Artystaar observed.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  –Outcast Lady in Orbit above Schwaigerland- 07-02-518.

  The Green Line was not truly a line of stars. It was more like a dusting of stars resembling an arm reaching out into space. There were plenty of stars off the main trade routes, some with habitable planets. For the most part, the planets were colonized by people who would prefer not to be found. These planets became places where smugglers or other marginal operators gathered. One such planet, Schwaigerland was selected as the place to begin their search.

  Outcast Lady was holding in orbit near the space station. The station was not much; just three old League sphere ships hulked. They were joined together in a three-dimensional triangle. The six docks were filled with as a bizarre group of merchant ships and warships as Cici had ever seen.